The Washington Commanders are at a crossroads. While the franchise is for sale, the Commanders almost made the playoffs last season and believe they are a few moves away from entering the playoff party in 2023.
Washington will look different at quarterback in 2023, opting for a competition between promising second-year passer Sam Howell and newly-signed veteran Jacoby Brissett. Under new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, there is optimism that regardless of who plays quarterback, the Commanders have enough playmakers outside and in the backfield to field a much-improved offense next season.
Another situation to watch for 2023 is head coach Ron Rivera. Rivera will enter his fourth season as head coach of the Commanders and has never won more than eight games in his previous three seasons. Rivera understands that must change regardless of whether there is a new owner or not.
Therefore, Washington really needs a strong 2023 NFL draft to make the playoffs next season.
Eric Edholm of NFL.com recently named 10 teams who need to “ace their picks” in the upcoming draft. And, no surprise, the Commanders are among those teams.
Here’s what Edholm said:
The franchise feels like it’s at a flashpoint. The club could be sold, and a change at the top of the franchise could lead to questions about the future of head coach Ron Rivera, who has gone 22-27-1 in his three years on the job, and the front office. The franchise quarterback might not currently be on the roster. Chase Young is headed into a critical season after a lost Year 3. There are just so many unknowns in Washington.
As of right now, the Commanders’ free-agency and trade options are very much limited by how little salary-cap space they have (under $3 million, per Over The Cap) available. Draft-wise, they have eight selections, but only three come in the top 100. Their first pick (No. 16) lands smack dab in the middle of Round 1 — likely too low to nab a QB or a top offensive lineman. It might allow them to draft a starting-caliber corner, but they’ll need to stay on their toes, with trade-up candidates below them possibly ready to pounce.
The Commanders did well by landing Jahan Dotson 16th overall a year ago, and it’s possible that running back Brian Robinson (picked 98th overall last year) and quarterback Sam Howell (144th) end up outplaying their draft slots, so there’s reasonable hope that this scouting department can find talent. If it doesn’t, this franchise, which has won double-digit games once since 2005, could dig an even bigger hole for itself ahead of a possible transfer of power up top.
Edholm is correct on all counts. There are some unknowns with the Commanders, but there is also an exciting mix of talent and youth. The biggest thing Washington needs in 2023 is improved quarterback play. Of course, adding a high-level starter from the NFL draft will ensure whoever plays quarterback will stay upright.