Commanders Rebuild After Tough Season With New Defense

After reaching the NFC Championship in 2024, the Washington Commanders limped through last season with just five wins. Now they're loading up to prove that magical run wasn't a fluke.

Super Bowl XVII champion Joe Theismann watched his former team struggle through injuries and fatigue last year. The defense gave up 26.5 points per game, ranking 27th in the NFL, while quarterback Jayden Daniels played in only seven games.

But Theismann sees brighter days ahead. The Commanders drafted Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles with the seventh overall pick and spent big in free agency to shore up their defense.

The team signed pass rusher Odafe Oweh to a four-year, $100 million deal and added linebacker Leo Chenal and defensive tackle Tim Settle. These aren't small moves. They're statement signings that show management believes in this roster.

The offense gets a boost too. Star receiver Terry McLaurin returns without the contract dispute that kept him out of last year's offseason program. Daniels, fully recovered from injury, spent the end of last season learning a new system under offensive coordinator David Blough.

Theismann expects Blough to call games differently than former coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, with more play action and under-center formations. Daniels already got a head start on the new playbook while sidelined.

The 76-year-old Theismann, who played his entire 12-year career in Washington, knows the NFC East won't make things easy. The Eagles remain powerhouse contenders. The Giants improved with coaching changes. The Cowboys added defensive talent.

Why This Inspires

Sometimes a tough season teaches more than a winning one. The Commanders could have panicked after falling from championship contender to bottom feeder. Instead, they identified their weaknesses, invested smartly, and kept their core together.

Young teams rarely make smooth climbs to the top. They stumble, learn, and rebuild stronger. Washington's response to adversity shows maturity beyond their years, and it gives fans real reason for optimism.

The road back won't be easy in one of football's toughest divisions, but the pieces are in place for Washington to surprise people again.