Hogs Haven
The Commanders are striving to move on quickly from 2025’s 5-12 disaster and show it’s not the start of a troubling trend.
Washington made the NFC title game following the 2024 campaign, a thrilling season where No. 2 overall NFL draft pick Jayden Daniels earned offensive rookie of the year honors. The encore was a mess, filled with injuries to Daniels, receiver Terry McLaurin, cornerback Trey Amos and others.
The defense couldn’t stop anyone and the season ended with a thud that prompted major offseason changes. Washington replaced both coordinators. They invested heavily in creating a younger and faster defense. They worked to surround Daniels with more talent.
They largely jettisoned the concept of finding quick veteran fixes on short-term contracts, instead aiming for players on the ascent. If general manager Adam Peters hits on most of his offseason acquisitions, the Commanders will set a proper foundation to support a period of sustained success.
Will that happen? We’ll have to wait and see.
The entire Commanders organization has something to prove in 2026, from the front office all the way down the roster’s depth chart. That’s why picking three is a virtual impossibility. There’s an argument to be made for so many, and I welcome those in the article comments.
We’ll go with three with the most to prove, with players and coaches as options on the table.
David Blough has never called offense plays at any level of football. He has never held an NFL coaching position higher than assistant quarterbacks coach. Blough was promoted to Commanders offensive coordinator despite those facts. He has been lauded by those who worked closely with him as a coach and former NFL quarterback, including now Bears head coach Ben Johnson after their time together in Detroit.
There’s confidence Blough can get Washington’s offense going with a largely under-center offense that prioritizes a strong rushing game – expect lots of zone concepts – and playaction passing. All that should help protect Daniels and provide elements not offered under previous coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.
Blough must show he can do the job well, install his system well and game-plan against the opponent. If he can help Daniels and the Commanders thrive, Washington will be competitive quickly.
The Commanders have not added a veteran free-agent receiver this summer, with third-round NFL draft pick as the last big acquisition for a team in clear need of a No. 2 receiver opposite Terry McLaurin. That doesn’t mean they won’t sign someone like Stefon Diggs off the street. They just haven’t to this point.
That creates a golden opportunity for former first-round pick Treylon Burks to live up to his draft slot. Injuries have been the biggest roadblock for a player who hasn’t exceeded 444 receiving yards in a season. This is a real prove-it year for a 26-year-old who has flashed brilliance but never established himself as a steady threat.
Burks has a chance to earn steady reps if...
