Scouting Sundays #6: The Washington Commanders 🫡🪖

The Commanders hit the jackpot with quarterback Jayden Daniels in 2024.

His rookie season included a historic Hail Mary… and Washington advanced all the way to the NFC Championship.

The Hail Mary; image courtesy SB Nation

Now it’s Year 2, and everything’s riding on his continued growth.

• Last year: 12–5

• Lost to the Eagles in Round 3

• Division: NFC East

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👟 Missed the kickoff? We’re counting down the top 10 NFL and college football teams of 2025. If you’re just jumping in, you can catch the full plan (and every team so far) by clicking here. 👈

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⭐ Stars to Know

Championship teams are built on players like these. The ones who make the plays, set the tone, and lead when it matters most.

Daniels; image courtesy Cincinnati Enquirer

Jayden Daniels – Quarterback

Daniels didn’t just have a good rookie season… he had a special one.

He threw deep, ran fast, made clutch plays. Along the way, he won Offensive Rookie of the Year.

🎥 It looked like this (watch for the miracle Hail Mary against the Bears).

This year, expectations are sky-high. The Commanders believe Daniels is the kind of player who can win MVPs and Super Bowls.

But will he?

McLaurin; image courtesy Baller Alert

Terry McLaurin – Wide Receiver

McLaurin has been the Commanders’ top receiver for years. And he’s not slowing down.

He runs perfect routes, makes tough catches look easy, and always seems to show up when his team needs him most.

He was Daniels’ go-to guy last season and will be again this year. But more than that, McLaurin sets the tone for the entire team with his work ethic, toughness, and leadership.

Miller won a Super Bowl with the Broncos; image courtesy ABC7

Von Miller – Linebacker

He’s a Super Bowl champion with the Broncos, a former Defensive Player of the Year, and one of the best pass rushers of his generation.

The Commanders signed him this offseason to bring experience and big-game knowledge to a young, hungry defense.

Even if he’s not an every-down player anymore at 36 years old, Miller knows how to make big plays in big moments. And he’s here to help this team learn how to win when it matters most.

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👀 Stories to Watch

Last year, the Commanders went from underdogs to contenders. But can they take the next step?

Division winners history; image courtesy NFL on CBS on Facebook

Can the Commanders Win the NFC East?

The Commanders won 12 games and made it all the way to the NFC Championship last year… but didn’t win their division.

The Eagles and Cowboys have run the division for years.

This year, the Commanders will try to prove they’re not just a playoff team. They’re a team that can take over the NFC East.

Quinn; image courtesy AP

Second Season in Charge

Coach Dan Quinn made a huge splash in his first year as head coach, helping turn Washington into a contender.

He brings energy, toughness, and a defense-first mindset that players love. But now the bar is higher. In Year 2, it’s not about proving they’re good. It’s about proving they can stay great.

NFL in Madrid, Spain; image courtesy SportsTravel

A Historic Trip to Spain

In November, the Commanders will play the Dolphins in the NFL’s first-ever regular-season game in Spain.

It’s more than just a game in Madrid. It’s a chance to represent football on a global stage.

The spotlight will be bright, the travel will be tricky, and the pressure could be huge if the playoffs are on the line.

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🎁 Did You Know?

New jerseys; image courtesy The Philadelphia Inquirer

For a long time, Washington’s football team had a name that was hurtful to Native Americans: the Redskins.

That’s why the team changed it to the Commanders a few years ago.

It’s part of a new chapter: a new name, a new quarterback, a new coach, and a fresh start focused on respect and teamwork.

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The Commanders weren’t the only name Washington considered.

From fierce animals to historical nods, the franchise explored other options before making it official.

That’s the halfway mark in our top 10 NFL countdown.

Team #5 drops tomorrow… unless something wild happens first! 🦁

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