Expectations around the league were not very high for the Washington Commanders in 2024, with a rookie QB and new head coach taking over a team that went 4-13 a season ago.
There's a good reason for that skepticism, as it turns out.
Where to begin? The secondary was awful, the defensive front could not get any pressure on Baker Mayfield and the receiving corps was invisible.
Cade York went 0-for-2 on field goals. Washington was thoroughly dominated in virtually every facet of the game, losing 37-20 in a contest that was not even as close as the final score indicated.
There were hopes that the new coaching staff could solve at least some of the issues that plagued the Commanders in recent years. So far, though, it looks like there's a lot more work to be done.
Emmanuel Forbes, oft-criticized throughout a rough rookie season a year ago, picked up right where he left off. Terry McLaurin, who it was hoped could reach another gear with rookie QB Jayden Daniels, had two catches for 17 yards. Aside from Bobby Wagner (10 tackles, three for losses), Washington's big-name free agent class did not make much noise.
Now, once again, it's important to note that this is a rebuilding year in Washington. No one could have reasonably predicted this team to immediately come out firing on all cylinders, with so many new pieces in new places. This was also a tough matchup, on the road against a Tampa Bay team that won a playoff game in 2023. And, there were a few positive standouts, the biggest being the most important one in Daniels.
In his first career start, Washington's second-overall pick went 17-for-24 for 184 yards through the air, while additionally rushing for 88 yards and two scores. For a quarterback whose game still needs a lot of development, it's highly encouraging that Daniels immediately showed as much promise as he did.
Brian Robinson also had a strong performance, amassing 89 total yards (40 rushing, 49 receiving) and a touchdown on the ground.
Still, Sunday was a reminder that Washington is in the beginning stages of what's likely to be a long process towards building a contender, and immediate expectations need to be tempered as such.
This team won't be in the playoffs this year and maybe not even next year — it's all about making progress one game at a time.
