Jayden Daniels proved earlier than most rookie quarterbacks that he was ready for the biggest stages in the in the NFL. The Washington Commanders broke a decades long conference championship game drought in Year 1, accomplishing feat thought impossible at the start of the season.
Nonetheless, the Commanders are now viewed among the contenders in the NFC. Washington has not settled on the satisfaction of their new image. Instead, they have responded with some big time moves this offseason.
The Commanders were proactive in the trade market, bringing in two elite that directly impact Daniels' development. Their moves for Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil encompass what Bleacher Report labeled an all-in haul, slotting in at No. 2 in their rankings of the NFL's biggest offseason moves.
"After their surprise run to the NFC Championship Game last year, the Washington Commanders shoved their chips to the middle of the table this offseason with the trades for wide receiver Deebo Samuel and offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil.
"Samuel gives them a sizable upgrade at wideout opposite Terry McLaurin, while Tunsil is one of the better blindside protectors in the league."
Those were not the only two roster decisions they made over the last few months, but they set the tone for the vision of the franchise through the coming years.
Since Daniels proved he can have the Commanders in the thick of contention now, it makes most sense to capitalize on the cap flexibility in the present to add pieces before the quarterback signs what could end up being a record-breaking deal down the line.
Granted, this vision coming together does rely on the Commanders locking down McLaurin's contract extension, an issue currently undermining the excitement of the 2025 campaign.
Assuming cooler heads prevail there, however, Washington will not only threat to contend next season. They are positioned to become a perennial threat to the title for the foreseeable future.
