Washington Commanders target a turnaround ahead of the 2026 NFL season

Washington head coach Dan Quinn overhauled his staff this off‑season, replacing both the offensive and defensive coordinators with rookie NFL play‑callers and bringing in Daronte Jones to lead the defensive backs. The team also added free‑agent talent such as cornerback Rasul Douglas and running back Rachaad White, while retaining promising young players like second‑round pick Mike Sainristil.

Analysts note that the Commanders’ 5‑12 record in 2025 was driven by injuries to key contributors – quarterback Jayden Daniels missed most of the year, running back Austin Ekeler was lost to a torn Achilles, and wide‑receiver Terry McLaurin sat out seven games. When healthy, the squad showed flashes, averaging 22.5 points in the limited games Daniels completed. With Daniels and McLaurin expected to return at full strength, new offensive pieces and a revamped defense, experts consider Washington the most underrated team in the NFC East and a potential contender for the division title in 2026.