Feb. 9, 2026, 6:15 a.m. ET
Cheer up, Washington Commanders fans.
Yes, this 2025 season was horrible. Yes, the Commanders were only 5-12. Yes, they lost eight consecutive games at one point and yes, the Commanders lost 10 of their last 12 games this season.
Do you realize that the week before the 2025 NFL regular-season opener, the Seattle Seahawks were at 60-1 odds to win the Super Bowl? The New England Patriots odds? Well, the Pats were actually an even longer shot at 80-1.
Doesn’t this illustrate for us how the NFL can change so much from season to season? Who were the favorites as the season began to win the Super Bowl? Well, the Eagles, Ravens and Bills were atop all other NFL teams entering Week 1. Yet, not one of those teams made this year’s Super Bowl. Even more, not one of them made the AFC or NFC Championship game either. Two of those teams (Bills, Ravens) even fired their head coach at the conclusion of their season.
Where was the public perception of the Commanders entering Week 1? It’s hard to believe now, but the Commanders were regarded as the seventh-best team entering the season at 18-1 to win Super Bowl LX. Only the Eagles, Ravens, Bills, Chiefs, Lions and Packers had better odds. None of those six teams were good enough to advance to their conference championship game either.
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If you’re interested, rounding out the top ten odds to win the 2025 season’s Super Bowl were the Bengals, Rams and 49ers. Consequently, only one of the top 10 (Rams) made it as far as their conference championship game.
What does this have to do with the Commanders? 2026 will be a different season. There will be two new coordinators, and each of those coordinators will have different coaches on the offensive and defensive staffs not present this past season.
Additionally, don’t be surprised if the Commanders have at least 25 players not return from last season’s team. GM Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn know better than any of us just how disastrous a season it was, and they know the reasons why; thus, they will be making many personnel changes.
Some personnel will return, however. The Commanders last year drafted three players that provided promising returns in offensive tackle Josh Conerly, cornerback Trey Amos and running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt. Wide receiver Jaylin Lane did not produce much at receiver, but did produce well as a punt returner.
The 2024 draft class brought quarterback Jayden Daniels, and he showed in 2024 that he could have a very bright future in the NFL. Yes, questions remain about each of the other draft choices, but it’s too early to write off those guys. Again, things can change quickly and often do in the NFL.
It’s not out of the realm of possibility therefore, to believe next season could be much better than 2025 for the Commanders.