It’s been a somewhat frustrating offseason for Washington Commanders fans. There’s the constant off-field distractions, the new name, the much-criticized trade for quarterback Carson Wentz and a lack of activity in free agency.
That’s not to say all fans have been disappointed in Washington’s offseason approach, but many have been, including former Washington cornerback DeAngelo Hall.
Will the Commanders be better in 2022?
ESPN recently unveiled the Football Power Index for 2022 and has the Commanders at No. 20. The ESPN FPI indicates how much better or worse that team is predicted to be relative to an average NFL team on a neutral field.
2022 Football Power Index ratings and rankings!
The rating itself indicates approximately how much better or worse — in points — that team is predicted to be, relative to an average NFL team on a neutral field.
It is a predictive rating. pic.twitter.com/9oDRKm8nKR
— Seth Walder (@SethWalder) May 17, 2022
The Commanders are the No. 3 NFC East behind the Cowboys (No. 6) and the Eagles (No. 18). That ranking seems a bit high for Dallas and low for Philadelphia. As for Washington, the ranking is fair. The Commanders could be better than No. 20, but it will depend on quarterback Carson Wentz and trust in the defense to bounce back to its 2020 levels.
If Wentz struggles, the Commanders could be lower than No. 20. Washington is counting on Wentz upgrading the quarterback position as its most significant offseason move.