These Commanders can help their chances of securing a new deal.
Not many are expecting the Washington Commanders to win at the Detroit Lions. Their backs are against the wall versus the NFC's No. 1 seed. But this group is made of stern stuff.
The Commanders have overcome every major hurdle with aplomb this season. They've blown out some decent teams in the regular season. Even when they don't perform up to par, they almost always find a way to come through in the clutch.
This is astonishing when one considers the roster changes made during the offseason. Molding a new group quickly was a notable accomplishment for Dan Quinn and his coaching staff. The hard work isn't over and there is more for general manager Adam Peters to navigate in the coming months, but things couldn't look more positive.
Some players have come to the fore at the best possible time. Another strong effort at Ford Field this weekend on Saturday Night Football will improve their chances of continuing with the exciting project in 2025 and potentially beyond.
With this in mind, here are five Commanders players who can rubber-stamp new deals in the Divisional Round. We'll start with ascending wide receiver Dyami Brown.
Commanders players who can rubber-stamp new deals in the Divisional Round
Dyami Brown - Commanders WR
The Washington Commanders needed another pass-catcher to step up alongside Terry McLaurin down the stretch and during the playoffs. Dyami Brown took on the challenge and thrived with extra responsibilities on his shoulders.
It looked for a long time as if Brown would never truly maximize the physical gifts in Washington. Concentration and confidence issues blighted his first three years with the team. He spent most of this season on the fringes waiting for an opportunity.
The former third-round selection out of North Carolina kept working hard in readiness for his chance. McLaurin believed he could produce the goods when Noah Brown went down with an injury. Brown didn't disappoint in crunch time when his number was called.
After gradually ramping up his usage over the final few games of 2024, offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury leaned on Brown heavily at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The pass-catcher delivered, bringing in all five of his targets for 89 receiving yards and a touchdown to assist greatly in Washington's thrilling triumph.
Brown's hand-eye coordination and ability to bring in tough catches have come on significantly under improved coaching. If he can build on this newfound momentum in the Divisional Round at the Detroit Lions, a short-term extension won't be too far behind this offseason.
Zane Gonzalez - Commanders K
Zane Gonzalez had the weight of the world on his shoulders in the closing stages at Raymond James Stadium. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels led another masterful drive downfield. His improvisation under pressure secured a first down and allowed the clock to run down in field goal range.
It was up to Gonzalez to seal the deal.
One could forgive fans for looking worried beforehand without the proper context attached. Gonzalez spent time putting on his boot and fixing his hair constantly walking onto the field. He has OCD, which heightened enormously in such a high-pressure situation.
Gonzalez did just enough. His kick went in off the upright and the Commanders reached the Divisional Round against the odds. It also extended the former seventh-round pick's outstanding start to life in Washington.
It's gone under the radar, but Gonzalez hasn't missed a kick since joining the Commanders. He's hit all 10 of his field goal attempts and 21 straight extra-point efforts. This brought much-needed stability to the kicking position after Austin Seibert's unfortunate injury.
If the Commanders want to be competitive against the Detroit Lions, Gonzalez must continue this trend. It's indoors in a hostile environment, but a good showing will cement his status in 2025.
Noah Igbinoghene - Commanders CB
The spotlight was on cornerback Marshon Lattimore and wide receiver Mike Evans, who renewed their fierce rivalry in the Wild Card round. It didn't go well for the defensive back, who wasn't healthy and looked a yard off the pace.
Thankfully, that wasn't the case with every cornerback. Rookie second-rounder Mike Sainristil more than held his own with the primetime spotlight glaring. There was also a lot to like about Noah Igbinoghene's contribution as the Commanders won their first playoff game in 19 years.
The best compliment one could pay Igbinoghene is that you don't hear his name called much. Moving into the slot provided the spark that ignited the former first-round pick. He looks comfortable, assured in coverage, and is physical enough to assist against the run for good measure.
Igbinoghene deserves enormous praise for the way he's applied himself this season. Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. thought he could be an asset after working alongside the Auburn product last season on the Dallas Cowboys. They've been proven right so far.
Washington got more than they bargained for with Igbinoghene. If he can keep this up at the Detroit Lions and ensure complications are minimal, that should be all the Commanders need to see for a longer-term commitment.
Olamide Zaccheaus - Commanders WR
There is nothing too flashy about Olamide Zaccheaus. The wide receiver is dependable, works hard for the team, and is capable of assuming any role depending on offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury's strategies from week to week.
If the Commanders need Zaccheaus to be a focal point, he can handle the responsibilities. Need him to be a gadget option to maximize his yards after the catch capabilities? No problem. This is a useful asset to call upon and Kingsbury has a good feel for picking and choosing his spots with the versatile pass-catcher.
Zaccheaus is a solid pro. The Commanders need more at the wide receiver position this offseason, but another short-term deal for the 5-foot-8 wideout couldn't be completely dismissed.
The fact he's brought in 70.3 percent of his targets — a career-high for the Virginia product — is a testament to Zaccheaus' reliability and willingness to do whatever it takes to help the team. Washington needs all that and more versus the Detroit Lions, who are missing some key figures on defense but should have rookie first-round cornerback Terrion Arnold back for the Divisional Round.
If Zaccheaus can maximize his touches and come through in clutch situations, the Commanders could reward him with another short-term commitment. That gives him a fighting chance of making the 53-man roster next season if nothing else.
Jeremy Chinn - Commanders S
This one should be a done deal already. Even so, dynamic safety Jeremy Chinn can put the exclamation point on proceedings at the Detroit Lions.
Chinn's been like a man possessed in 2024. Being shunned by Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero last season left a sour taste in his mouth. The former second-round selection was keen to make up for lost time and prove his old employers made a serious mistake in letting him walk.
The Commanders offered the best possible environment for Chinn. He had a familiar face to lean on in ferocious linebacker Frankie Luvu, who also left Carolina for Washington during the offseason. Being deployed in a defensive scheme that maximized his strengths saw him return to the form that saw the Southern Illinois product take the league by storm as a rookie.
This road to redemption saw Chinn emerge as an important piece of Washington's defensive puzzle. His starring effort at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers proved his flavor for the big game environment. The Commanders will be counting on him to meet runners head-on at the second level and provide enough support in coverage on the backend.
If Chinn continues his outstanding run of form, that will confirm his place as a core foundational piece worthy of a long-term deal.
