It just seems like the Washington Commanders can’t have anything nice. Every time Washington has a special season, things fall apart the following season. If you don’t believe it, look back over the last 25 years. That’s been the case in 2025, with Washington currently 3-10, having lost eight games in a row and staring at a 12-game losing streak to end the season.

Understandably, Washington fans are frustrated. With a new owner, coach, GM and quarterback, it appeared the franchise finally turned a corner after a magical 2024 season. Instead, an old and injury-riddled roster ended the Commanders‘ season before it ever really got going. Now, it’s back to opposing fans outnumbering Washington fans at these late-season games at Northwest Stadium.

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Head coach Dan Quinn’s status has been debated. That was unthinkable one year ago, but Washington is not only losing this season, but it’s also getting blown out. The Commanders have lost five games by 21 or more points. There are some historic numbers in this losing streak. Quinn already replaced defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr., with himself taking over play-calling in Week 11.

For now, Quinn is not on the hot seat. Nor should he be. He deserves a better roster, which falls on the shoulders of GM Adam Peters. Last season’s success should buy Quinn another year. We brought up the scenario that if the Commanders do lose their final four games and end the season on a 12-game losing streak, then all bets could be off.

Ex-Washington cornerback Fred Smoot thinks it would be crazy for the Commanders to fire Quinn.

“What are you thinking?” Smoot said in response to any fans who may want Quinn fired during Monday’s appearance on “BMitch & Finlay” on 106.7 The Fan.

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“You know what, we’re so used to misery and change. Let me tell you something, our fan base has PTSD in the biggest form possible. Anytime they see anything that resembles the past, they revert back to the past. If our quarterback gets hurt, they revert back to RG3. If we lose three games in a row, they revert back to the time me and Santana (Moss) was playing football. And yes, they go back to the worst-case scenario at every point. Let me ask the fan base this: if you fire Dan Quinn, who are you hiring that’s gonna do a better job than him?”

These are all great points here. We touched on the foolish RG3 talk recently. That needs to stop. Jayden Daniels is not Robert Griffin III. There’s no comparison. But, as Smoot stated, Washington fans see that magical 2012 season, followed by an injury to a dynamic second-year quarterback, and have conditioned themselves to believe the same scenario will play out again.

At the same time, fans should be frustrated. Considering the franchise’s plan to raise ticket prices in 2026 after a miserable 2025 season, the optics aren’t the best. That still doesn’t mean Washington should fire Quinn. Right now, the team has many problems. A lack of talent is one. If Peters and his staff go cheap in free agency again, there will be questions. Remember, the Commanders are without second and fourth-round picks in the 2026 NFL draft.

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Winning cures everything. The Commanders play the New York Giants on Sunday. Just one win would make a huge difference — for now. It’s shaping up to be one of the most pivotal offseasons in franchise history. It feels like we’ve said that before.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Smoot says fans have PTSD due to past struggles