\nWhy tougher opponents should lower Commanders\u2019 expectations in 2025<\/a><\/p>\n
The Washington Commanders\u2019 2025 win total, 9\u00bd, is in the top half of the league and is the highest for the franchise at this point since 2001, its only season under then-coach Marty Schottenheimer. (The NFL still had a 16-game schedule in 2001, when Washington finished 8-8.)<\/p>\n
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the Commanders face a tougher schedule in 2025, especially on the road. Five of Washington\u2019s nine 2025 away opponents \u2014 the Green Bay Packers, Eagles, Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers and Minnesota Vikings \u2014 reached the playoffs last season. The Atlanta Falcons, another road opponent, were in the postseason mix until a late-season collapse, while the Miami Dolphins dealt with significant injuries in 2024 but made the playoffs the previous two seasons. Washington\u2019s strength of schedule doesn\u2019t project to be the most difficult of 2025, but it is among the top third of the league.<\/p>\n
Given these considerations, a nine- or 10-win season could reflect continued competitiveness in a more challenging landscape. Washington\u2019s franchise, in fact, hasn\u2019t finished with double-digit wins in consecutive seasons since 1991, the previous time it won a Super Bowl. According to this analysis, there is a 32 percent chance the Commanders finish with 11 or more wins in 2025 and a 28 percent chance they finish below .500.<\/p>\n
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Amid a hectic offseason, Commanders\u2019 rookies grab the spotlight for a bit<\/a><\/p>\n Rookie minicamp is underway in Ashburn. Here\u2019s what you need to know.<\/p>\n Quick hits<\/p>\n \u2022 First-round tackle Josh Conerly Jr. stood out with his quickness<\/a> in offensive line drills.<\/p>\n \u2022 Tight end Zach Ertz<\/a> watched practice alongside Peters, Quinn, assistant GM Lance Newmark and director of player personnel David Blackburn.<\/p>\n \u2022 After practice, a John Deere tractor carried four large logs<\/a> to the field. Quinn likes to incorporate Navy SEAL training, with the Acumen Performance Group, to build camaraderie and leadership among the players, and log carrying is part of it. Star wide receiver Terry McLaurin was among those who cited the value of the work and how it helped the Commanders establish their culture and chemistry last offseason.<\/p>\n The Athletic (paywall) 4. Quinn doesn\u2019t expect Week 1 or even training camp-level work from the participants. He considers these three days \u201conboarding.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThese are the standards. These are the things that are important to us. These are the ways that we go about (our work),\u201d Quinn said. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t just take place over one weekend. It takes place all the way up through here and into training camp. This is an excellent team to come be a part of, knowing that there are people here that are gonna help them be their very best.\u201d<\/p>\n 5. Lane\u2019s 4.34 40-yard speed made the Virginia Tech receiver a coveted target for teams in the middle rounds. College highlights showed a player often receiving the ball out of the slot and near the line of scrimmage. That tracked with Lane\u2019s usage in a few seven-on-seven drills, as did the burst upfield with the ball in his hands.<\/p>\n Finding ways to get Lane the ball beyond traditional route running feels like an early goal. That includes returning punts and kicks, which might be how he will contribute primarily as a rookie, along with gunner reps on special teams.<\/p>\n 7. Then there is seventh-round running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who introduced himself as \u201cBill\u201d to reporters. He looked bigger than his listed 5 feet 11, 208 pounds. At the same time, the shiftiness showed in drills as expected, without any hints of rust after eligibility issues caused him to miss the final 11 games of his career at Arizona.<\/p>\n 8. Two UDFA signings, cornerback Fentrell Cypress and offensive lineman Tim McKay (torn labrum), did not participate. McKay\u2019s injury, suffered at NC State\u2019s pro day, will likely keep the three-year college starter and guard prospect sidelined into training camp, possibly leading to a physically unable to perform designation.<\/p>\n Commanders.com Every rookie class is different, and that\u2019s the case this year when comparing this year\u2019s group to the 2024 class. One thing Quinn hopes they have in common is their desire to be good teammates. That, among other things, was something the 2024 class excelled at, and Quinn wants that standard to stay the same in 2025.<\/p>\n \u201cNot every player can become a great player, but you can become a great teammate,\u201d Quinn said.<\/p>\n There\u2019s always a handful of undrafted rookies who make the initial 53-man roster, and that journey begins this weekend. When asked about what they can do to improve their chances, Quinn circled back to one of the main pillars of Washington\u2019s culture: competition.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd there\u2019s great examples from players who were in that same space, whether it was last season or seasons prior, who have walked that walk,\u201d Quinn said. \u201cWe don\u2019t really want them to think about that yet. We don\u2019t really go so far to say what\u2019s gonna happen in September. Just work these skills, learn the system and the skills that are needed for the system.\u201d<\/p>\n Safety Gabe Taylor making the most of his opportunity at rookie minicamp<\/a><\/p>\n Taylor\u2019s participation in Washington\u2019s rookie minicamp is a huge milestone for Taylor and a special kind of full-circle moment for the entire Taylor family. Gabe\u2019s older brother Sean, a first-round pick in 2005, was an electrifying talent for the Burgundy & Gold before his career was tragically cut short by fatal injuries sustained during a 2007 home invasion.<\/p>\n Gabe, who was only six years old when Sean passed, has held his brother\u2019s memory close growing up. Joining the Commanders for minicamp this weekend despite calls from other teams is part of that homage. The significance of accepting that invitation certainly wasn\u2019t lost on him or his family.<\/p>\n The decision to come to Washington meant opening the door to what head coach Dan Quinn has described as a \u201cgolden opportunity\u201d for tryout players. This weekend in Ashburn, Gabe is focused on showing Washington\u2019s coaching staff that he can contribute to this team.<\/p>\n It would be easy for Taylor to get swept up in the \u201cwhat ifs\u201d of these few days. He, like other tryout players who are here, can taste the NFL dream. Taylor, however, says he is taking it \u201cone day at a time,\u201d which is exactly what Quinn wants the attitude around minicamp to be for these guys.<\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t really want them to really think about that [the initial 53-man roster or practice squad] yet. We don\u2019t really go so far as to say, \u2018What\u2019s going to happen in September?\u2019 Just work these skills, learn the system and the skills that are needed for the system,\u201d Quinn said. \u201cIf we can do that excellently then the 53 and the practice squad will kind of work itself out. If you\u2019re already looking ahead to that, I think you\u2019re going to miss all of the development, all the things that are going to take place.\u201d<\/p>\n Riggo\u2019s Rag According to Adam Schefter of ESPN<\/a>, the San Francisco 49ers waived Drake Jackson with a failed physical designation. The former second-round pick is expected to be healthy for the start of training camp, but general manager John Lynch opted to go in a different direction.<\/p>\n This will provoke a discussion in Washington\u2019s front office. Or at least it should.<\/p>\n Peters was part of the draft process that resulted in San Francisco taking Jackson at No. 61 overall in 2022. His career hasn\u2019t gone according to plan due to injuries and a longer rookie adjustment than expected, but his flashes as a pass-rusher indicate it\u2019s too soon to be giving up on him just yet.<\/p>\n Jackson only recently turned 24 years old. He\u2019s not a washed-up veteran down on his luck. With a better run of good fortune on the health front, the edge threat could improve quickly under Washington\u2019s accomplished coaching staff.<\/p>\n That also included a familiar face for the player. Defensive line coach Darryl Tapp spent two seasons coaching Jackson. This would make the transition go smoothly in this scenario, but much will depend on how much the patellar tendon injury that saw him miss the entire 2024 campaign will affect him long term.<\/p>\n Podcasts & videos Commanders Rookie Minicamp OBSERVATIONS | Interviews with Lane, Croskey-Merritt and Gabe Taylor<\/p>\n NFC East links<\/p>\n The Athletic (paywall) Quarterback Jaxson Dart started his New York Giants rookie minicamp news conference Friday by doing things a little differently: He asked the reporters to introduce themselves before their questions.<\/p>\n Dart wants to start getting to know the people who will help shape the coverage of his career, but he himself needs no introduction. He\u2019s the quarterback the Giants traded back into the first round to get in hopes he\u2019ll become the next face of their franchise.<\/p>\n And though it\u2019s still early, that process is off to a nice start.<\/p>\n Dart finished his first day of rookie minicamp 8-for-10 passing during seven-on-seven drills, with the only two incompletions looking like drops by his receivers. Dart put plenty of zip on his passes, and he even navigated a couple of tight windows. Again, it\u2019s early, but he fared well considering he was the only rookie participating in those seven-on-seven drills.<\/p>\n Completing passes is obviously important, but the big emphasis for Dart is on learning the Giants\u2019 hefty playbook and using a cadence rather than clapping, as he did at Ole Miss. Dart\u2019s former method went viral<\/a> in a clip talking about it with former NFL coach Jon Gruden.<\/p>\n Big Blue View the Giants signed both Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston as free agents. Not only are they expected to carry the load for the Giants this year (and provide scaffolding for the development of Dart), but the Giants also denied them to the other quarterback-needy teams.<\/p>\n There were really only five viable free agent quarterbacks on the market this year \u2014 and possibly only four, depending on the status of Aaron Rodgers. The Giants snapping up two of them put both the Steelers and Saints in a bind.<\/p>\n It seems unlikely that the Giants would help out the Saints by trading one of their veterans. Not only would that possibly risk their own season, but it could also risk the development of Dart if he\u2019s pushed onto the field too early.<\/p>\n In the short term, going from Derek Carr to Haener, Rattler, or Shough significantly changes the complexion of the Giants\u2019 upcoming road game against the Saints. The Giants are expected to face one of the most daunting schedules in the NFL, and unleashing their upgraded defense on an inexperienced quarterback makes the game significantly more favorable than a veteran Pro Bowl quarterback.<\/p>\n We shouldn\u2019t chalk this game up as a win, but the news of Carr\u2019s retirement likely improved the Giants\u2019 chances in New Orleans.<\/p>\n Giants\u2019 rookie RB Cam Skattebo: \u2018I\u2019ve proved nothing\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n Skattebo meets media after first practice<\/p>\n \u201cI mean, as you\u2019ve seen, I cried. This is an awesome place to be,\u201d he said. \u201cDid I expect it to be here? No. But this is where I want to be now, and I love that I\u2019m here. I\u2019ve met new guys throughout the last two weeks, and it\u2019s been awesome.<\/p>\n An endearing aspect of Skattebo\u2019s personality is his humble nature. He understands that he\u2019s at another level of football, and he has yet to prove anything. When asked about his penchant for consistently finding a chip on his shoulder, Skattebo replied with this:<\/p>\n \u201cHow many snaps of the NFL have you seen me play? Zero, right? I\u2019ve proved nothing. I\u2019ve proved what I am in college, but I\u2019ve proved nothing at this level. So now where I\u2019m at, I have to prove myself and if that\u2019s for five years or if that\u2019s for 10 years, I\u2019m going to continue to prove myself.\u201d<\/p>\n Skattebo discussed his physical nature and how he loves to run over defenders:<\/p>\n \u201cGetting in the end zone. I mean it feels good when you run somebody over and then get in the end zone. I mean it feels good when you get in the end zone, but imagine running someone over and then running another person over and then getting in the end zone,\u201d he said.I\u201dt\u2019s that much better (laughs). So, it just shows that when you\u2019re physical, it shows the work you put in in the weight room and how much you do to make your game better.\u201d<\/p>\n NFL league links New Orleans certainly wasn\u2019t hoping its starting quarterback would call it a career Saturday, but Carr\u2019s decision may end up being for the best.<\/p>\n No offense to the combination of 2025 second-round pick Tyler Shough, \u201924 fifth-round pick Spencer Rattler and \u201923 fourth-round pick Jake Haener, but this is a roster that appears primed for the first overall pick next year. And while many will panic, say that New Orleans should have also taken Shedeur Sanders or hit the eject button on future season tickets, Carr\u2019s retirement may end up being the best development that could have happened for the Saints. <\/p>\n New Orleans\u2019s head-scratching, full-steam ahead cap situation has created a team that, since 2020, has been too talented to finish poorly enough to draft a good quarterback on a rookie deal and too old and broken to win meaningful games. As a credit to Carr, he was sort of the perfect representation of a roster full of proud veterans who, while not quite elite, were certainly good enough to annoyingly beat the Giants on a wholly meaningless December Sunday. <\/p>\n I\u2019m not advocating for tanking, but when an opportunity to walk that fine line between openly trying to lose games and putting together an imperfect yet forward-looking roster presents itself, a coach like Kellen Moore should dive in full-speed ahead. <\/p>\n That\u2019s why Carr\u2019s decision to walk away after the draft, leaving the team in a kind of quarterbacking hellscape where the only aggressive and possible move at this point is trading for Kenny Pickett, will wind up being a blessing in disguise. It\u2019s not the way anyone would have hoped (especially not Moore). It may or may not be part of a larger scheme by Carr to wind up elsewhere. But either way, it forces the Saints to be as bad as the team possibly can be for one season.<\/p>\n Pro Football Focus Newton, much like most rookie defensive linemen, didn\u2019t get a significant snap share in Year 1, but with the team releasing long-time starter Jonathan Allen this offseason, a key opportunity opens up for Newton to prove he is worthy of his early second-round draft capital this season. Newton showed flashes as a rookie, ultimately finishing the year with a 62.7 pass-rush grade (tied for 53rd) with plenty of room to grow this season with a much larger workload. <\/p>\n NFL.com The Bengals showed their commitment to the finest pass-catching trio in the league this offseason by opening the vault<\/a> to retain the services of WR Ja\u2019Marr Chase (four years, $161 million), WR Tee Higgins (four years, $115 million) and TE Mike Gesicki (three years, $25.5 million). Joe Burrow advocated for his playmakers<\/a> to receive their blockbuster deals, and the money reflects how Cincinnati has dominated opponents on the perimeter. From Chase winning the triple crown in 2024 as the league leader in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns to Higgins posting 10 touchdowns as the NFL\u2019s most feared WR2 to Gesicki snagging 65 balls as the third option on a prolific, pass-first offense, the Bengals have firepower to match any opponent in a shootout. <\/p>\n Rank 2 – Philadelphia Eagles<\/p>\n It\u2019s hard to find a glaring hole on the defending champions\u2019 roster thanks to the Eagles\u2019 superb scouting and development process. Philadelphia has utilized every acquisition method (draft, trade and free agency) to stockpile blue-chip playmakers. A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith share duties as co-WR1s in an offense that utilizes a potent running game, led by Saquon Barkley, to set up opportunities through the air. WR Jahan Dotson and TE Dallas Goedert excel at working the underneath areas to punish opponents utilizing two-deep coverage and split-safety looks designed to limit throws over the top. Despite their best efforts, few defenses have been able to neutralize the Eagles\u2019 aerial attack with Jalen Hurts tossing the ball all over the yard to a collection of sticky-fingered pass catchers with slick route-running skills and big-play potential on the perimeter. <\/p>\n Discussion topics<\/p>\n If this play never happened:<\/p>\n 1-There would be no Jayden Daniels vs Caleb Williams debates \u2014 Mike McDermott (@MikeMcDermottAK) May 11, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n All aTwitter<\/p>\n Former Giants OL Tyre Phillips is signing with the Commanders.<\/p>\n Phillips played in 3 games for the Giants in 2024 after spending most of the season on the practice squad.<\/p>\n Phillips was the starting RT who took over for Evan Neal before he tore his quad at the end of the 2023\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/bqbjiAOQGn<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Doug Rush (@TheDougRush) May 10, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n “I’m a man of God first…my number one job is to bring my 100% every single day.” <\/p>\n Hokie nation knows him well. <\/p>\n Welcome to Washington, Jaylin Lane. pic.twitter.com\/gZROM0qmjm<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Natalie Spala (@_nataliespala) May 10, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n “It’s all about competition.” #Commanders<\/a> rookie linebacker Kain Medrano says he’s still getting acclimated. He tells me he loves what’s brewing here in Washington and is blessed to now be a part of it. pic.twitter.com\/xg1eTTQqEF<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Natalie Spala (@_nataliespala) May 10, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Zach Ertz out here watching rookie minicamp practice with Adam Peters, Dan Quinn, David Blackburn and Lance Newmark. pic.twitter.com\/gR30qd2Ycs<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) May 10, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Only whispers on the Commanders schedule, but maybe you want to get your passport ready for Madrid. Kind of been in the wind for awhile.<\/p>\n \u2014 Rick Snider’s Washington (@Snide_Remarks) May 10, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Angel Reese and Magic Johnson have launched a new financial literacy program\u2014Wealth Playbook\u2014for high school seniors in Baltimore. pic.twitter.com\/wry9opOMld<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Front Office Sports (@FOS) May 10, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n #Saints<\/a> QB Derek Carr, dealing with a shoulder injury that requires surgery that would knock him out for the 2025 season, is retiring, per The Insiders.<\/p>\n While Carr tried an injection and rehab, it wouldn\u2019t allow him to be 100% until another procedure. Both sides move on. pic.twitter.com\/sHbCq9nqVw<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 10, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Derek Carr has announced his retirement.<\/p>\n In late March, while ramping up his preparation for the 2025 season, Derek experienced pain in his right shoulder. It was his first time throwing a football at significant volume since recovering from both a concussion and left hand\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/SrcJEzDDnU<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 New Orleans Saints (@Saints) May 10, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Derek Carr made over $205,000,000 when it’s said & done<\/p>\n a 77-92 (.455) career win %, just 1 trip to the playoffs & an immediate loss<\/p>\n never elite but good enough to get paid like he was<\/p>\n 9th most cash from 2014-2024 of any player<\/p>\n not Kirk Cousins level but 1st ballot bag getter<\/p>\n \u2014 Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) May 10, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n
\nCommanders rookie camp brings ties to Washington\u2019s past and future together<\/a><\/p>\n
\nQuinn wants rookies to compete, learn Commanders standard<\/a><\/p>\n
\nCommanders should investigate Drake Jackson\u2019s outlook after 49ers departure<\/a><\/p>\n
\nNFL Schedule Nuggets: Commanders vs Chiefs on Christmas?<\/p>\n
\nGiants minicamp takeaways: Jaxson Dart is already standing out from the crowd<\/a><\/p>\n
\nDerek Carr announces his retirement – What does it mean for the Giants?<\/a><\/p>\n
\nArticles
\nSports Illustrated
\nDerek Carr\u2019s Retirement Could Be a Blessing in Disguise for the Saints<\/a><\/p>\n
\nPost-NFL draft breakout candidates for all 32 teams
\nWashington Commanders: DT Jer\u2019Zhan Newton<\/p>\n
\nRanking top NFL pass-catching groups: Bengals lead class; Cowboys stand out after George Pickens trade<\/a>
\nRank 1 – Cincinnati Bengals<\/p>\n
2-There would be no more Justin Fields debates
3- #RaiseHail<\/a> would not have made the playoffs
4- #DaBears<\/a> would have been 5-2 (Playoffs?)
5-Matt Eberflus would still be the #ChicagoBears<\/a> HC pic.twitter.com\/gYqPla1Pph<\/a><\/p>\n