3 big questions the Commanders must answer in training camp

The Washington Commanders are hoping for a major course correction in 2026.

After a breakout 2024 season, when rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels led the franchise to the NFC championship game, the Commanders crashed back to earth last year. Daniels struggled with injuries most of the season, and the defense cratered.

So head coach Dan Quinn decided to blow up the foundation of his coaching staff. He replaced his offensive and defensive coordinators, opting for two first-time NFL play-callers. He changed the offensive scheme, hoping to protect Daniels from injury.

And with all the changes come all the questions.

Washington is largely a mystery right now. Will they contend for the division? A wild card? Miss the playoffs?

Nobody truly knows. But if they are going to get back to the playoffs, they must address these questions during training camp.

Will Daniels have support?

Yes, Daniels spent most of last season on the sidelines. He dealt with a knee strain, a hamstring issue and a dislocated elbow that ultimately knocked him out for the year.

But we can’t forget that when he was on the field, he didn’t have much help.

Only three Commanders had over 500 receiving yards last year. Two of them are no longer on the roster.

Terry McLaurin is the only receiver returning with meaningful production.

Washington tried to add help for Daniels in the offseason by signing some veterans. Dyami Brown is back in D.C. after a brief stint in Jacksonville. Van Jefferson, who won a Super Bowl with the Rams in 2022, signed a one-year deal. And Washington drafted rookie Antonio Williams out of Clemson, hoping he can make an immediate impact.

But those options are far from sure things. It is why Washington’s front office spent most of the offseason hearing pleas from the fanbase to sign a Pro Bowl-level pass catcher. Brandon Aiyuk, because of his college connection to Daniels, was an early front-runner. Stefon Diggs, who played at Maryland, was also rumored to be on the team’s radar.

But both players have their issues. Aiyuk especially has been roiled in controversy as he’s called out the 49ers front office and gotten into a social media spat with Daniels.

For now, Washington is rolling with McLaurin and a bunch of receivers looking to prove their worth. Quinn says he feels comfortable with the supporting cast. He’s even liked the production of Jaylin Lane and Luke McCaffrey this offseason.

“A number of them have impressed me,” he said.

Time will tell whether he’s right.

Is the pass rush ready?

While Washington’s offense left something to be desired in 2025, the defense gave Commanders fans the most headaches.

Even if Daniels had been healthy, the Commanders would have struggled thanks to a defense that allowed a score on 47% of drives. That was the fourth-worst rate in the NFL, only topped by the Jets, Cardinals and Cowboys.

And a big reason the Commanders couldn’t get stops was that they couldn’t generate a pass rush. Their pass-rush win rate was only 36%, good for 18th in the NFL, and they finished in the middle of the pack in sacks.

It had a trickle-down effect: Washington was second-worst at generating turnovers. By most metrics, Washington and Dallas had the worst defenses in the league.

So general manager Adam Peters spent the better part of this offseason loading up on guys who could get after the quarterback. He signed former Ravens edge rusher Odafe Oweh to a four-year deal. Outside linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson, who recorded 7.5 sacks in 2025, signed a one-year contract, as did defensive lineman Charles Omenihu.

The Commanders are hoping first-round draft pick Sonny Styles will be able to rush the passer from the linebacker spot. Leo Chenal, a former Kansas City Chiefs linebacker, should go in that bucket too.

With the pass rush coming from the edge and the linebacker spot, Quinn believes Washington will be more nimble on defense and able to bring pressure from everywhere.

“I love the versatility we have. Big guys, edge rushers, more speed at a lot of spots,” Quinn said. “I watch an individual, I watch some of the speed. It’s a big deal.”

What about the play-callers?

Here’s the one question nobody can really answer until the season opener: How will the new play-callers acclimate?

Calling plays is as much about feel as it is about preparation. There are plenty of talented position coaches who ultimately aren’t good fits as coordinators.

Offensive coordinator David Blough and defensive coordinator Daronte Jones are unproven at this level. Blough is 30 years old and was playing in the NFL less than four years ago. Jones has been a coordinator in college and high school, but never in the NFL.

Quinn put both his play-callers through stress tests in practice. He simulated drives and scenarios. But there is no substitute for the real thing.

Washington’s preseason slate will include Miami, Detroit and Baltimore. While the outcomes of those games won’t matter, the experience in the headset will be pivotal on both sides of the ball.