Washington Commanders 2026 Preview

After a shocking run to the NFC Championship game in the 2024 season, the Washington Commanders took a major step back in 2025 going 5-12. Probably the biggest reason for such a bad year was due to the injury to their prized quarterback Jayden Daniels as well as their top receiver Terry McLaurin missing some games, but overall, it was just a terrible season. The hope is that all the moves that were made during the offseason and also for Daniels' getting back to being healthy is all they need to get back to the postseason. But let's take a look at the Commanders for the 2026 campaign.

Jayden Daniels

While it was mentioned before, Daniels is going to be key for Washington to be successful. Yes, Marcus Mariota is a solid backup, but he is nowhere nearly as dynamic as Daniels. Daniels can change a game and is so talented that he is a franchise altering quarterback. Now, if the Commanders can keep him healthy, then the team will be fine, but if he gets hurt again, then it's going to be more difficult.

Hopefully All The Offseason Moves Work

Here is the list of all the players Washington signed in the offseason: linebackers Odafe Oweh, Leo Chenal, and K'Lavon Chaisson, running back Rachaad White, tight end Chig Okonkwo, wide receivers Dyami Brown, Stefon Diggs, and Van Jefferson, cornerbacks Amik Robertson and Ahkello Witherspoon, safety Nick Cross, and defensive linemen Tim Settle and Charles Omenihu. One thing that was lacking for the Commanders in 2025 was their defensive output. They absolutely splurged and got a lot of guys who can help on defense and make them more fearful. Oweh is the headliner here as he can make Washington's defense so much more scary. The team also got a lot of depth on offense in what is already pretty lethal as is. White should help make the running game better and Okonkwo is another solid option at tight end for Daniels to throw to.

Daronte Jones And David Blough

Gone are offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt. In are now Jones manning the defense and Blough on offense as it might be possible coaching changes are needed. It will be interesting to see what these two guys do as it could help bring the playoff success to the Nation's Capital.

Dan Quinn's Job

Quinn is likely going to be on the hot seat if the team gets off to a bad start, but that being said, this was going to probably be his last year unless Washington plays like they did in 2024. Yes, last year was disastrous because of Daniels' injury, but there is a lot of people feeling impatient about the direction of the team. Going from 12-5 to 5-12 is not a good look and probably is a good reason for the team to look at another option at head coach.

Schedule

Game 1: at Philadelphia

Game 2: at Dallas

Game 3: vs Seattle

Game 4: vs Indianapolis (London)

Game 5: vs New York Giants

Game 6: at San Francisco

Game 7: vs Philadelphia

Game 8: vs LA Rams

Game 9: at New York Giants

Game 10: vs Cincinnati

Game 11: at Arizona

Game 12: at Tennessee

Game 13: vs Houston

Game 14: vs Atlanta

Game 15: at Minnesota

Game 16: at Jacksonville

Game 17: vs Dallas

Not going to lie, this is a very difficult schedule and if the team is going to make any chance at the playoffs, they'll need all the luck they can get. The Commanders could easily go 0-17 here, but they probably will do better than that. If it wasn't for how difficult this schedule is, Washington probably could make the playoffs. But, that being said, it's hard to not think a 9-8 or 8-9 record being the realistic output for this group. This is just too hard of a schedule to predict.

Draft Picks

Number One Pick: LB Sonny Styles (Round 1)

Number Two Pick: WR Antonio Williams (Round 3)

Number Three Pick: LB Joshua Josephs (Round 5)

Number Four Pick: RB Kaytron Allen (Round 6)

Number Five Pick: C Matt Gulbin (Round 6)

Number Six Pick: QB Athan Kaliamanis (Round 7)

Styles is going to be a game changer on defense and helps that group be a lot more fierce. Williams is going to be another option for whoever is at wide receiver, but he is a great weapon. Josephs helps with the depth on defense. Allen is an intriguing running back as it could help expand the running scheme and be another option on the field on offense. Gulbin is simply depth on the offensive line and Kaliamanis will be a development quarterback.