Typically when you ask, “what if?” it refers to the past. What if I had studied engineering? What if I had moved after school? What if RGIII doesn’t get hurt and the Skins beat the Seahawks?
But could it refer to the future?
All offseason we have heard the same talking points. Will Jayden Daniels regress in his sophomore season? Even if he doesn’t, will opposing defenses figure him out? The schedule is much more difficult this season and the list of quarterbacks don’t include Daniel Jones and Jake
Haener. The defense hasn’t made enough strides to keep up with the Eagles or even the Cowboys. It’s the same stuff everywhere you look. It’s almost like this team didn’t win two road playoff games and end up in the NFC Championship for the first time in three decades. But no, it’s only about how last year was a fluke.
But again, what if? Instead of looking backward at a miraculous run with memorable moments, and yes, fortunate breaks. What if we look forward? What if this team is just good and 2025 is a chance to continue that success? What if, simply put, they’re… better?
Jayden Daniels had an incredible rookie season. Perhaps the best ever. But he still had rookie moments. Sometimes he tried to do too much instead of living to see another down. Sometimes he held the ball for too long. Although it was full of fun moments we will never forget, it still had moments that reminded you that this was a guy in his first season. The question has been, what if defenses and defensive coordinators, “figure him out.” But what if Jayden realizes that and is doing his best to stay ahead of the competition? How did Todd Bowles do in his second chance against him? Don’t you think if the talking heads know he needs to continue improving, the guy who looked like a seasoned vet 5 games into his career might realize that as well? The arm, the touch, the athleticism, all of it. But you could argue that Daniels’ work ethic is his best super power. If everyone else can see a potential roadblock, don’t you think JD5 can see it too?
One of the knocks on the offense was after Terry, who else? So what did Adam Peters and Dan Quinn do? They trade a draft pick for a utility weapon in Deebo Samuel. Spend two of their five draft picks on offensive playmakers in Jaylin Lane and Jacory Croskey-Merritt Bill. So now there might be an answer to who else after #17. What if the offense that was already potent is better?
Another place that the Commanders fell short was in the protection of Jayden and really, the offensive line as a whole. It’s hard to tell if Brian Robinson was just not busting through holes or if the line simply wasn’t creating them. No more excuses now. First off, B-Rob is gone and younger backs are taking over in Chris Rodriguez and Bill. Not to mention wily vets Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols. But the offensive line was overhauled as well. More picks shipped out on a premier left tackle in Laremy Tunsil and perhaps a surprising first round pick in Josh Conerly Jr. All of a sudden a makeshift line from last year looks like it COULD be a strength of this team. Andrew Wylie and Brandon Coleman move inside to different (maybe more suitable?) roles and once Sam Cosmi is back, you could have a premier unit in the NFL. A unit that allowed the 6th most sacks in the NFL last season should hopefully see that number reduce and the yards per carry jump up in significant ways. Even though the Commanders were top 5 in YPC last year. So again, what if the offensive line is better as well? Perhaps another checked box.
This leaves the defense, which left a lot to be desired. A lot of the last second wins and big moments could have been prevented had the defense made one or two plays late. (Spencer Rattler, Kyle Pitts, etc.) On paper this seems to be the biggest question mark. Out are Jeremy Chinn, Jonathan Allen, Dante Fowler and other role players. Incoming are Will Harris, Javon Kinlaw and Von Miller. Could it be a bit more of the same? Possibly. Could these players maybe fit the Dan Quinn/Joe Whitt mold? Maybe. But the little details on this side of the ball might be the big kickers. In the secondary, the team is betting on Marshon Lattimore playing better than the shell of himself that they saw last season. By all accounts, he looks to be moving well and is sporting a snazzy #2 this year. Could we see the Saints version that terrorized the NFC for years? Hopefully. But even if he has lost a step, the contingency plan could be right behind him, or across the field. Trey Amos looks the part according to those who have watched him this summer. So while Lattimore is the corner of now, Amos could be the corner of the future while still having a large role right now. Let’s not forget Mikey Sainristil on top of all of this. He played all over the secondary last year, but Amos and a (fingers crossed) healthy Lattimore allow him to focus on his usual slot corner position. Even playing “out of position” at times last year, Sainristil was a huge factor and is looking to build on his rookie season success in his second year. Add in seasoned vets Noah Igbinoghene and Jonathan Jones, and a secondary that this time last year included Emmanuel Forbes and Benjamin St-Juste might be the deepest unit on the team. So again, what if the secondary and defense as a whole are the same, if not better?
There are guys who didn’t even crack this: All-Pros Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu. Zach Ertz. The blocking dominance of John Bates. Special teams aces Jeremy Reaves and Nate Bellore. Quan Martin. Tyler Biadasz. The list goes on.
All of this said, nothing about 2024 matters once 2025 kicks off. But you could argue in a lot of places, this team has gotten stronger, deeper and flat out more talented. All of that remains to be seen. The schedule is tougher. The quarterbacks are better. The spotlight is brighter. The miles are longer. But again… what if that doesn’t matter? What if 2025 is just as special? What if this team outperforms last year? What if last year was just the launching pad?
…what if?
