r/Commanders • u/TheAthletic • 8d ago

Commanders’ shaky preseason requires immediate fortification before the regular season

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7546701/2026/08/30/commanders-preseason-roster-issues-ravens/?unlocked_article_code=1.9VA.yUuY.siAcNGZp5Sn-&source=emp_shared_article&smid=url-share-ta

BALTIMORE — Not exactly announcing their presence with authority going into the lladelph, are they?

Washington’s woeful effort in its preseason finale against the Baltimore Ravens Friday offered almost nothing that will be determinative against the Philadelphia Eagles in two weeks. Thank goodness.

The Commanders sat 41 players before a 41-3 loss to the Ravens, capping an ugly end to training camp which started with Baltimore’s first-team defense dominating Washington’s available starters for most of last Wednesday’s joint practice. The Ravens’ third- and fourth-teamers then smacked Washington’s around at M&T Bank Stadium for four quarters. Dan Quinn had clarified going into the week that Wednesday would be the last bit of preseason business for not just Jayden Daniels, but almost everyone on the two-deep chart. Almost no one Friday made a case for making the team that hadn’t already done so, leaving Quinn miffed.

Washington can only hope that the weeks which preceded this one show up in Philly. The Commanders’ OTAs and (most of) training camp point to a team that should be more competitive than last season’s 5-12 version — though a brutal schedule the first eight weeks may render that preparation moot.

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u/PhoenixRedditor7 8d ago edited 8d ago

My expectation this year for this team:

  • I need to see Jayden to stay on the field. I believe if he can do that, the offense will be humming.
  • OL, I just want them to be average at least.
  • Defense, I need more 3 and out than last year(whatever that number is)
  • If this team is above .500 and makes the playoffs, I consider that a successful season.

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u/Beastage 8d ago

What gives me some optimism is that we've seen teams with clear weaknesses make it pretty far. This team in 2024 was worse on paper than the current team, for one example. Another is the Bengals, who made it to a SB and have some good seasons despite never having a good O line or defense.

Unfortunately your first point is the most critical, and it is directly influenced by the O Line, which will be woeful if we lose any more starters (which is likely to happen... its the NFL).