RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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The Washington Commanders ' offseason has been a roller coaster. From coaching staff changes to Adam Peters' goal of making the defense younger and faster, to injuries along the offensive line and bringing in Stefon Diggs, this team has undergone many changes in 2026.
There have been questions about whether the Commanders did enough to support Jayden Daniels during the offseason, whether the defense can gel and perform as a unit with so many new faces, and now there are questions about the protection for Daniels, with many wondering why Peters and Dan Quinn let Tyler Biadasz leave during free agency.
Earlier this week, NFL.com's Around the NFL writer Nick Shook released his latest power rankings ahead of the first week of preseason games, and those questions likely contribute to the Commanders ranking 29th on his list.
Stefon Diggs is now a Commander, which is cool, but Washington's season truly hinges on Jayden Daniels returning fully healthy and finding a way to stay on the field. That, and substantial improvement from the defense, a unit that has been revamped with a large influx of veteran additions after finishing dead last in yards allowed in 2025. This is the year in which Dan Quinn must prove he has strong coaching chops -- or else. It's also the season in which Daniels must prove he's more durable than he was in 2025, a task that undoubtedly becomes more challenging after losing left tackle Laremy Tunsil to a torn triceps for what will be a significant portion of the season, if not all of it. There's reason to be hopeful, but it feels increasingly as if the Commanders have to thread the needle to find success in 2026.
Shook makes some good points, but it's not really the whole story, is it? Jayden Daniels has a massive chip on his shoulder and a strong desire to prove that he is still an elite quarterback. The defensive players have all come out and said they are gelling well, and they have the pieces they need to get the job done. Stefon Diggs is already proving that he can be a solid counterpart to Terry McLaurin.
While all of this is happening in camp, we have to remember that the players' mindsets and mentalities are a huge factor in how they perform. Daniels knows he will have to be vigilant in the pocket without Laremy Tunsil, and he is getting work in with Julian Good-Jones in case Nick Allegretti isn't ready for Week 1. The team is taking the right steps to ensure this season won't be a repeat of last season.
When the players hit the field for their first regular-season game on September 13, that's when we'll really know where they stand with the rest of the league. Until then, it's all guesswork.
Remember, rankings are subjective.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders completely disrespected in NFL power rankings after Tunsil injury
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