As the Washington Commanders look to turn to a new era in the franchise’s history, the team in the nation’s capital will look to restore what was once a proud and successful franchise with the help of a new head coach.
An organization that has seen championships and has had NFL greats walk its halls has lost its way at some point and now turns to new leadership to get them back to prominence.
Can Dan Quinn and Co. Get the Commanders Back on the Right Track?
New Commanders head coach Dan Quinn comes to Washington looking to make an immediate impact on a franchise desperate for success.
With a new owner settling in and a new coaching staff eager to build, a new day is dawning for the Washington franchise.
While Washington resides in a tough NFC East division that boasts two of the conference’s better teams, the Commanders attacked the offseason like a team that is eager to be included in the mix as well.
From an aggressive approach in free agency to taking a quarterback who they hope is the future of their franchise, a lot has changed for the Commanders in just one year.
They have their work cut out for them if they’re going to become consistent contenders, but they have the staff and players in place to surprise the league in 2024.
Commanders’ Projected Depth Chart
Quarterback (3)
Starter:Â Jayden Daniels
Backups:Â Marcus Mariota, Jeff Driskel
Running Back (4)
Starter: Brian Robinson Jr.
Backups:Â Austin Ekeler, Chris Rodriguez Jr., Jeremy McNichols
Wide Receiver (6)
Starters:Â Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson
Backups:Â Olamide Zaccheaus, Dyami Brown, Jamison Crowder, Luke McCaffrey
Tight End (4)
Starter:Â Zach Ertz
Backups:Â John Bates, Ben Sinnott, Cole Turner
Offensive Line (9)
Starters:Â Brandon Coleman, Nick Allegretti, Tyler Biadasz, Sam Cosmi, Andrew Wylie
Backups:Â Cornelius Lucas, Chris Paul, Michael Deiter, Ricky Stromberg
Defensive Tackle (5)
Starters: Daron Payne, Jonathan Allen
Backups:Â Jer’Zhan Newton, John Ridegway, Phidarian Mathis
EDGE (5)
Starters:Â Clelin Ferrell, Dorance Armstrong
Backups:Â Dante Fowler, KJ Henry, Javontae Jean-Baptiste
Linebacker (5)
Starters:Â Frankie Luvu, Bobby Wagner
Backups:Â Jamin Davis, Jordan Magee, Mykal Walker
Secondary (9)
Starters:Â Benjamin St.-Juste, Michael Davis, Jeremy Chinn, Quan Martin
Backups:Â Emmanuel Forbes, Tariq Castro-Fields, Darrick Forrest, Jeremy Reaves
Special Teams (3)
Kicker:Â Riley Patterson
Punter:Â Tress Way
Long Snapper:Â Tyler Ott
Commanders Roster Changes
Quinn came to Washington and immediately got to work building the team he wanted. The Commanders were one of the more aggressive teams in the NFL during free agency as they added quality talent across the roster.
With Quinn’s background, it’s easy to see why he may have spent a lot of time and resources trying to upgrade the defensive side of the ball. Although the Commanders already had pieces in place, like Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen, to feel good about, the new head coach chose to attack some holes aggressively.
One of those spots was at linebacker, where Quinn added long-time NFL veteran Bobby Wagner as well as productive former Carolina Panthers star Frank Luvu. The addition of the two in the middle helps fortify the second level of the Commanders’ defense.
Quinn wasn’t done there, and he even opted to tap into his previous talent pool in Dallas to add players at his new stop. With the addition of EDGE’s Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler, plus center Tyler Biadsasz, the Commanders now have multiple veterans who understand what Quinn is looking for in his players.
Players Added:
- RB Austin Ekeler
- LB Bobby Wagner
- LB Frank Luvu
- QB Marcus Mariota
- TE Zach Ertz
- EDGE Dorance Armstrong
- EDGE Dante Fowler
- C Tyler Biadasz
- OL Cornelius Lucas
Players Lost:
- EDGE Casey Toohill
- LB Cody Barton
- WR Curtis Samuel
- S Kameron Curl
- QB Jacoby Brissett
- RB Antonio Gibson
2024 Draft Class
- 1 (2): QB Jayden Daniels, LSU
- 2 (36): DI Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois
- 2 (50): CB Mike Sainristil, Michigan
- 2 (53): TE Ben Sinnott, Kansas State
- 3 (67): OT Brandon Coleman, TCU
- 3 (100): WR Luke McCaffrey, Rice
- 5 (139): LB Jordan Magee, Temple
- 5 (161): S Dominique Hampton, Washington
- 7 (222): EDGE Javontae Jean-Baptiste, Notre Dame
Commanders Coaching Staff
Quinn is known as a player’s coach and a loyal guy who likes to keep his friends and colleagues around. The Commanders’ coaching staff echoes that sentiment.
Defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. and defensive line coach Sharrif Floyd stand out among a group of coaches who were with Quinn in Dallas and were brought over when he was hired in Washington.
Other names that pop out when looking at the roster include offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, who was once one of the brightest young stars rising the coaching ranks in the NFL. After a less-than-ideal stop with the Arizona Cardinals, Kingsbury went back to college for a brief time, working with Caleb Williams and Co. at USC.
Quinn has assembled a staff full of experience and potential, with a group that consists of knowledge and fresh ideas as the collective bunch looks to restore Washington to the proud franchise it once was and hopes to be true contenders in 2024 along the way.
- Dan Quinn, Head Coach
- Dave Gardi, Senior Vice President of Football Initiatives
- Sarah Hogan, Coaching Chief of Staff
- Brian Johnson, Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Pass Game Coordinator
- Kliff Kingsbury, Offensive Coordinator
- David Blough, Assistant Quarterbacks
- Andre Coleman, Offensive Assistant
- Bobby Engram, Wide Receivers
- Bobby Johnson, Offensive Line
- Anthony Lynn, Run Game Coordinator/Running Backs
- Tavita Pritchard, Quarterbacks
- David Raih, Tight Ends
- Darnell Stapleton, Assistant Offensive Line
- Shane Toub, Offensive Quality Control
- Joe Whitt Jr., Defensive Coordinator
- George Banko, Defensive Quality Control
- Tommy Donatell, Defensive Backs
- Sharrif Floyd, Assistant Defensive Line
- William Gay, Assistant Defensive Line
- Ryan Kerrigan, Assistant Linebackers/Pass Rush Specialist
- Ken Norton Jr., Linebackers
- John Pagano, Senior Defensive Assistant
- Jason Simmons, Defensive Pass Game Coordinator
- Darryl Tapp, Defensive Line
- Larry Izzo, Special Teams Coordinator
- John Glenn, Assistant Special Teams
- Pete Ohnegian, Player Development Coach
Commanders 2024 Season Schedule
- Week 1 Sept. 8 at Tampa Bay 4:25 p.m. FOX
- Week 2 Sept. 15 vs. New York Giants 1 p.m. FOX
- Week 3 Sept. 23 (Mon.) at Cincinnati 8:15 p.m. ABC
- Week 4 Sept. 29 at Arizona 4:05 p.m. FOX
- Week 5 Oct. 6 vs. Cleveland 1 p.m. FOX
- Week 6 Oct. 13 at Baltimore 1 p.m. CBS
- Week 7 Oct. 20 vs. Carolina 4:05 p.m. CBS
- Week 8 Oct. 27 vs. Chicago 1 p.m. CBS
- Week 9 Nov. 3 at New York Giants 1 p.m. FOX
- Week 10 Nov. 10 vs. Pittsburgh 1 p.m. CBS
- Week 11 Nov. 14 (Thurs.) at Philadelphia 8:15 p.m. Prime
- Week 12 Nov. 24 vs. Dallas 1 p.m. FOX
- Week 13 Dec. 1 vs. Tennessee 1 p.m. FOX
- Week 14 BYE
- Week 15 Dec. 15 at New Orleans 1 p.m. FOX
- Week 16 Dec. 22 vs. Philadelphia 1 p.m. FOX
- Week 17 Dec. 28 or 29 vs. Atlanta TBD
- Week 18 TBD at Dallas TBD
2024 Season Prediction for the Commanders
When looking at the big picture for the Commanders, the future looks as bright as it has in the last 20 years. With fresh faces and renewed hope, Washington appears to be a team that is on the rise.
However, despite that optimism for the future, it won’t be easy. A one-year turnaround shouldn’t be expected, setting up what will surely be a 2024 season full of ups and downs.
With a blend of new talent and old veterans, the Commanders shouldn’t be taken lightly this year. But the reality remains that they are probably a year or two away from being real contenders.
There is still much to be sorted out with a rookie quarterback, and Quinn is trying to implement his standard in his first year while playing in a tough NFC East.
There will be some good moments for the Commanders this season, with enough positives to build hope. However, this is just the start, and expectations should be tempered just a bit for the upcoming season.
Record Prediction: 7-10 (3rd in the NFC East)
