Optimism is rapidly growing around the Washington Commanders following their outstanding victory at the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football. It was a phenomenal performance that proved beyond all doubt this was an organization heading in the right direction after more than two decades of misery.
This led the talking heads around the national media to speculate whether Dan Quinn could lead his team to a potential playoff berth in Year 1 of his head coaching tenure. Those following the Commanders a little closer will acknowledge that there is a lot of hard work ahead before this scenario becomes realistic. The frailties are evident, especially on the defensive side of the football, entering their Week 4 road clash with the Arizona Cardinals.
Arizona might be sitting at 1-2, but they are a dangerous outfit. Complacency cannot become an issue if the Commanders want to build on their newfound momentum. Quinn is trying to keep everyone's feet on the ground, taking things one game at a time and seeing where that takes his revamped roster.
The pressure is on some more than others. With this in mind, here are seven Commanders players firmly on the hot seat (for differing reasons) in Week 4 at State Farm Stadium.
Commanders players on the hot seat entering Week 4 at the Cardinals
Noah Igbinoghene - Commanders CB
It'll come as no surprise to Washington Commanders fans to see the secondary struggling to make an impact over the early stages of the campaign. Having two accomplished coaches such as Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. hasn't made up for the evident talent deficiency in the cornerback room. Reaching the postseason isn't going to happen if the same trend continues throughout the campaign.
Noah Igbinoghene is getting more playing time than anticipated thanks to Emmanuel Forbes Jr.'s injury and Michael Davis' lack of production. The former first-round pick followed the same trajectory as previous stops, coming up with the odd good play but producing nowhere near the consistency needed to provide stability.
Igbinoghene's 47.7 grade from Pro Football Focus is in the lower echelons for qualifying corners. He's giving up 64.3 percent of his targets and a 101.8 passer rating when targeted. This is going to be a big problem if the Arizona Cardinals identify the Auburn product as a weak link and test him throughout.
Bobby Wagner - Commanders LB
Bobby Wagner's position isn't in jeopardy by any stretch. Being on the hot seat can be for differing reasons. In the perennial All-Pro linebacker's case, it's because the Washington Commanders need a phenomenal performance in Week 4 at the Arizona Cardinals.
Wagner and Frankie Luvu will have an integral role to play. They need to make sure their run fits are on point versus a powerful backfield presence like James Conner. The former second-round pick will also act as the quarterback spy in pursuit of keeping star signal-caller Kyler Murray contained and wrap him up immediately when he attempts to gain yards scrambling out of the pocket.
For all Wagner's diminishing qualities in coverage, he still thrives in these areas. The Commanders will be counting on the veteran heavily to lead by example, get everyone in the correct positions pre-snap, and make his tackles count. This will go a long way to enhancing defensive consistency and frustrating the Cardinals for good measure.
This is a different challenge entirely from the threat posed by Joe Burrow in Week 3. Washington can relax safe in the knowledge Wagner has plenty of experience going up against an elusive customer such as Murray during his time in the NFC West with the Seattle Seahawks.
Quan Martin - Commanders S
The Commanders need more from their dynamic safety tandem. Jeremy Chinn took a big step forward in the second half of their Week 3 triumph at the Cincinnati Bengals. Quan Martin also showed signs of life, but one could forgive the coaching staff for demanding increased efforts from the promising duo.
Martin is physically imposing and explosive in equal measure. He's taking time to adjust after switching back to the safety position under the new regime. He spent much of his rookie campaign as a slot cornerback and performed well when called upon. He'll need a big effort this weekend versus the Arizona Cardinals.
The Cardinals can put up points in a hurry once early momentum is generated. Martin needs to be on high alert to prevent running back James Conner from gaining yards on the ground. He also needs to provide Washington's indifferent cornerbacks versus the likes of Marvin Harrison Jr. and the underrated Greg Dortch. There's also the small matter of identifying when Kyler Murray is going to take off and react accordingly.
That's a lot to ask, but it's exactly why the Commanders ignored other critical needs to take him at No. 47 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. Martin is due for a big performance. If it arrives in Week 4, the Commanders' defense is going to benefit enormously.
Benjamin St-Juste - Commanders CB
The Washington Commanders need more from Benjamin St-Juste. He's their top cornerback in a room desperately short of dependable options. There have been his customary flashes, but the same frustrations that blighted his season in 2023 remain.
St-Juste found life difficult when matched up against Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins in Week 3. This has been the tale of the tape throughout his career. Something has to improve - and quickly - to bolster his chances of an extended stay beyond the current campaign.
The former third-round selection is giving up 63 percent of his targets through three weeks. St-Juste has conceded 255 receiving yards at 15 yards per reception with three touchdowns and a 130.9 passer rating when targeted. This is deeply concerning for someone who was expected to be the CB1 under Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr.
If St-Juste was hoping for some respite this weekend, he's out of luck. The defensive back will be coming up against rookie sensation Marvin Harrison Jr. This could be another long afternoon for the player unless significant adjustments arrive, so a huge effort is needed to counteract the supreme threat posed by the gifted wide receiver.
Jonathan Allen - Commanders DT
It's time for Jonathan Allen to show up.
The veteran defensive tackle is not performing to his typically high standards through the first three weeks of the campaign. Most attributed last season's regression to a lack of motivation and increasing disillusionment under previous head coach Ron Rivera. However, it seems like this could have been the start of a concerning trend.
Allen's motivational ability is not in question. His on-field production is less enthusing, with the former first-round pick lacking explosiveness to the contact point and being lethargic in pursuit of oncoming runners.
The Alabama product is offering almost nothing from a pass-rushing standpoint to further raise concern. Washington ramped up rookie second-rounder Johnny Newton's usage in Week 3 at the Cincinnati Bengals - with Daron Payne getting more reps at the defensive end spot. This trend will continue unless Allen raises his production accordingly.
If this becomes an untenable situation for the interior force, one couldn't dismiss the possibility of general manager Adam Peters using the Pro Bowler as a bargaining chip before the 2024 trade deadline. Something that's becoming more likely with every indifferent performance.
Dorance Armstrong Jr. - Commanders DE
The Washington Commanders have some defensive problems. Kliff Kingsbury's offense is masking these with their outstanding run of scoring on every non-kneel-down drive over the last two games. That won't last, so Joe Whitt Jr.'s unit needs to be more organized if this team wants to become the league's surprise package in 2024.
Two things are holding the Commanders back right now. We've spoken about their lack of consistency in the secondary. But this isn't aided by a non-existent pass rush that cannot generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks with enough frequency.
It needs to be a collective effort. However, more is expected from Dorance Armstroing Jr. than most following his high-profile arrival from the Dallas Cowboys in free agency.
Armstrong played the best football of his career under Dan Quinn in a rotational role. Things have been more complicated as a starting focal point, but this weekend's game at the Arizona Cardinals represents a good chance to finally generate some momentum.
The Cardinals have arguably their top-three right tackles all dealing with injuries. Armstrong needs to expose this weakness and create havoc from start to finish at State Farm Stadium.
Brian Robinson Jr. - Commanders RB
As previously stated, being on the hot seat doesn't necessarily mean that a player's status is in question. It also means that circumstances surrounding the team mean they must put in a top-notch performance in pursuit of victory.
That's the case with Brian Robinson Jr. The talented running back made an impressive start to the campaign. He didn't put up big numbers in Week 3 at the Cincinnati Bengals, but he kept the defense honest and set the table for Jayden Daniels to have his breakout performance on Monday Night Football.
The Commanders need this and more from Robinson in Week 4 at the Arizona Cardinals. Austin Ekeler has already been ruled out with a concussion, so the onus falls squarely on the former third-round selection out of Alabama to shoulder almost 100 percent of the burden versus a team giving up 123.3 yards per game on the ground through three weeks.
There's nothing to suggest Robinson isn't capable of reaching these feats. He's already proved that this season with an outstanding display of explosiveness and gap exploitation in Week 2 against the New York Giants.
