logo
Washington Worry As Regression Predicted For Commanders?

Washington Worry As Regression Predicted For Commanders?

Yahoo21-05-2025
How can the Washington Commanders possibly do better than their historic turnaround from last season?
After winning just four games in 2023, the Commanders saw a nine-win jump in the regular season and reached the Conference Title Game for the first time in 30 years behind a new owner, general manager, head coach, and quarterback.
Advertisement
Sustaining success is a new thing for the franchise, though. And it's why one reporter believes a natural regression is coming for the Commanders.
Bleacher Report writer Moe Moton believes the team will finish 10-7 in 2025 due to the team's tougher schedule, and holes along the defensive line.
"While the Commanders offense looks better than last year's group on paper, the club will struggle to match up against top offensive attacks with its lackluster pass-rushing unit," Moton wrote. "Washington lost its 2024 sack leader, Dante Fowler Jr., in free agency. The Commanders will need more than Dorance Armstrong Jr. and Deatrich Wise to collapse the pocket on the edges.
"Frankie Luvu and Daron Payne must be active near the line of scrimmage on passing downs."
Advertisement
Should Washington worry?
Washington possesses one of the oldest rosters in the league despite their young quarterback. They will be expected to at least make the playoffs this year as part of their growth as an organization.
And while 10 wins is nothing to scoff at - especially compared to past years for the franchise - the Commanders still have a lot to prove under new management at this time.
Related: Commanders' Harris Wins Championship After 164-Year Wait
Related: Commanders Trade for Tyreek Proposed in Controversial Media Move
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Top Three Positional Battles to Watch during Washington Commanders Preseason
Top Three Positional Battles to Watch during Washington Commanders Preseason

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Top Three Positional Battles to Watch during Washington Commanders Preseason

With preseason action in full swing across the NFL, the Washington Commanders have officially opened the doors in Ashburn with expectations a bit more lofty after an NFC Championship appearance propelled by the 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year, QB Jayden Daniels. Today, we analyze the three most important positional battles for Washington this summer as the regular season is right around the corner. Starting CB2: Trey Amos vs. Jonathan Jones The Commanders were very fortunate in the second round of this past NFL Draft when Ole Miss CB Trey Amos fell into their lap with the 61st overall pick. Amos was projected by many draft analysts to be a fringe first round selection, but a back injury suffered during the pre-draft process forced teams to be wary of the First-Team All-SEC talent. Washington made it a clear priority during the offseason to address the defensive backs room, as the team also brought in veteran CB Jonathan Jones, who spent the first nine years of his career with the New England Patriots, where he won two Super Bowl rings. As a 31-year old, Jones brings 132 games of experience and a championship-pedigree which is valuable at such a volatile position. Expect Jones to become a key mentor for the younger guys, including Amos. Amos has received glowing reviews through two+ weeks of training camp, which has remained constant since Trey stepped on the field for rookie mini-camp in the spring. While the team also brought back Noah Igbinoghene, who started 10 games in 2024, it appears to be more of a depth signing for the upcoming season (barring any injuries). Since the start of training camp, Amos continues to run with the first-team defense and is in line to start week one opposite of Marshon Lattimore, and with Mike Sainristil back in the slot. Third-String RB: Croskey-Merritt vs. McNichols vs. Rodriguez Throughout camp, there's been one name that continues to pop up on a daily basis from beat reporters on the scene in Ashburn. Bill. Perhaps better known as Jacory Croskey-Merritt, the New Mexico/Arizona product is taking Commanders nation by storm after being selected in the 7th round by Washington in April. Bill is making a name for himself, noticeably for his one-cut style of running the ball in between the tackles. In week one of preseason, JCM finished with 7 rushes for 24 yards, along with an eight-yard reception. While the numbers may not blow you away, the confidence and physicality he played with were certainly positive signs heading into another week of preseason. Jeremy McNichols is the most versatile running back in the room for Washington, which potentially makes him one of the most difficult cut options for the team. Last season McNichols had a career year, finishing with career highs in rushing yards (261) and touchdowns (5) as the third option. He is also one of the best pass-protection running backs in the entire league, a coveted trait. Chris Rodriguez Jr. is someone the team may once again eye for the practice squad. Rodriguez presents a different element than the aforementioned two backs, with a rare blend of power and balance that makes him so compelling. Third-String QB: Sam Hartman vs. Josh Johnson Sam Hartman returns for his second season after spending nearly the entire 2024 season on the Commanders' practice squad. Hartman, who is very close with Jayden Daniels, started last week's game against New England where he finished 9/19 for 64 yards and an interception. The numbers are not great, or even good, but they do not tell the entire story as Chris Moore and KJ Osborn both dropped a pair of passes, including two deep passes along the sidelines. Meanwhile, Josh Johnson (39 years old) has made his return to the nation's capital after a brief tenure in 2018, where he won his first career game as a starter. Johnson took over for Hartman last week, and he finished the game 15/22 for 173 yards, along with a touchdown and an interception. Final Thoughts In all honesty, the Commanders have most of their roster situated after a haul of players re-signed this offseason, including Marcus Mariota, Zach Ertz, Bobby Wagner, Noah Brown, and John Bates. They all play vital roles to the team, and provide mentorship for their eventual replacements The outcome of the three highlighted positional battles should have a linear effect on how the roster is built moving forward under this regime, but things can always change as the season approaches and other rosters around the league are trimmed.

Commanders activate Terry McLaurin off PUP list, All-Pro receiver's contract situation still up in the air
Commanders activate Terry McLaurin off PUP list, All-Pro receiver's contract situation still up in the air

Yahoo

time2 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Commanders activate Terry McLaurin off PUP list, All-Pro receiver's contract situation still up in the air

The Washington Commanders announced Saturday that they have activated All-Pro wide receiver Terry McLaurin off the physically unable to perform list. The move is unrelated to McLaurin's contract negotiations, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. And, so, although McLaurin is making progress in his return from an ankle injury that bothered him late last season, his contract situation is still up in the air. The Commanders star wideout is in the third year of a three-year, $68.4 million contract with an average annual salary (AAV) of $22.8 million. He skipped spring practices and mandatory minicamp and then held out the first week of training camp before reporting as a hold-in. The seventh-year receiver was fined $200,000 for his four-day holdout. McLaurin, who turns 30 in September, is looking for a new deal that reflects a surging wide receiver market and his WR1 value in a Commanders offense led by now-second-year quarterback Jayden Daniels. More specifically, McLaurin is targeting the $33 million AAV the Pittsburgh Steelers are now paying DK Metcalf, ESPN's John Keim reported Saturday. It's important to note, though, that Metcalf is 27. And as Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson pointed out, only two wide receivers in league history have signed contracts the year they were 30 or turning 30 that earned them more than $23 million annually: Tyreek Hill in 2024 with the Miami Dolphins ($30 million AAV) and Davante Adams ($28 million) with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022. McLaurin has been vocal this offseason about his desire to continue his career in Washington. He did, however, request a trade on July 31 as contract frustrations boiled over. McLaurin, now a two-time Pro Bowler, ranked second in the NFL last season with a career-best 13 touchdown catches. He also led the league with 24 contested catches during the regular season, according to Pro Football Focus. While spilling over 1,000 receiving yards for the fifth year in a row, McLaurin made 82 grabs, at least 37 more than every other Washington wideout during Daniels' NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign in 2024. Now that McLaurin's activated off the Commanders' PUP list, he's eligible to practice. That said, his return will likely begin with work off to the side with athletic trainers.

Commanders activate star receiver Terry McLaurin in contract drama twist
Commanders activate star receiver Terry McLaurin in contract drama twist

New York Post

time2 hours ago

  • New York Post

Commanders activate star receiver Terry McLaurin in contract drama twist

Terry McLaurin has been activated from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list Saturday, but it remains to be seen if the Commanders' receiver will strike a new deal with the team before the regular season begins. McLaurin, who had been designated to the PUP list with an ankle issue, was fined $200,000 by the organization for missing the first four days of training camp in July in a contract dispute. Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin walks across the field after a practice at the team's NFL football training camp, Sunday, July 27, 2025. AP Advertisement McLaurin's clearance 'is the next step in his progression, but unrelated to negotiations,' ESPN's Adam Schefter posted Saturday on X. 'A small step….as he's set to ramp up — the next step in returning to practice,' NFL Network's Ian Rapoport added on the social media site. 'There is no indication of progress on an extension. But with the season looming, McLaurin will begin the process of getting his body ready.' Advertisement The 30-year-old McLaurin is entering the final season of a three-year contract worth $68.4 million. Other top receivers like Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and DK Metcalf have recently received extensions from their respective teams. Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) catches a touchdown pass against Giants cornerback Deonte Banks (3) during the second quarter of the Giants and Washington Commanders game in East Rutherford, N.J. Bill Kostroun/New York Post The two-time Pro Bowler has recorded at least 1,000 receiving yards in each of the past five NFL seasons, including 82 catches for 1,096 yards and a career-high 13 touchdowns in 17 games in 2024 as the primary target for rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. Advertisement 'It feels good to be around my teammates and around the fans,' McLaurin told reporters after reporting to camp last month. 'I can't beat that at all. They showed me a lot of love and support. You lose sight of some things when the business gets involved, but I never lost sight of the way they supported me. It's business, but it has nothing to do with them.' The Commanders went 12-5 during the regular season last year and advanced to the NFC Championship game before losing to the Eagles. They will face the Bengals in their second preseason game Monday night, and open the season at home against the Giants on Sept. 7.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store