Washington Commanders: What’s the best (realistic) case scenario?

What’s the best case scenario for the Washington Commanders in the 2022 season that’s also actually a realistic possibility?

The Washington Commanders are definitely a hard team to get an idea of heading into the 2022 season.

There is a ton of potential at a lot of different positions, but potential only means so much. Meanwhile, the defense could be elite – especially with a few superstars (most notably Chase Young) returning from injuries.

Quarterback is still a massive question mark but also a wildcard that could be vastly improved from last season.

So what exactly is the best case scenario for the 2022 season for Washington? More specifically, what is the best realistic case scenario for the Commanders this upcoming year? Because anyone could say Super Bowl and everyone wins all the awards. So let’s try to stay grounded here.

Team-wise, a Super Bowl isn’t impossible. Let’s remember the Cincinnati Bengals made it there last year despite many at the beginning of the season thinking they were in line for the first overall pick.

However, Washington needs to jump through a lot of hurdles to get there. So more realistically, an NFC East division title is definitely possible. Double-digit wins and a playoff win would be great and could happen.

The defense has gained reinforcements, wide receiver was addressed in the draft, and the QB position has been upgraded. So why not?

Speaking of QB this is tough. Because is it a better scenario to have Sam Howell become the future or for Carson Wentz to turn things around?

You can’t even do some dream scenario where both work out and you trade Wentz, because he’s on the last year of his contract. And trading a rookie that impresses in his rookie year is a bad idea.

So the answer here is pretty obvious. Howell takes over and puts on a show. Wentz is already 29 and you’d have to give him a big contract next offseason. Howell is only 21 and you would get him cheap for the next few seasons while he’s on his rookie deal. So you could build a better roster in that time.

That’s definitely realistic (while still contending) too. Howell may be a later-round pick but he comes in with some hype and not all that long ago was considered the top QB in the draft. If given the chance he could absolutely shine. And get Washington back to the playoffs in his rookie year.

One other offensive note. Antonio Gibson handles his fumble issues of 2021, Terry McLaurin continues to dominate, and rookie Jahan Dotson proves he’s a star and fits in perfectly next to the stud receiver.

Defensively, things go back to the 2021 season. Chase Young turns into the top-5 defensive lineman everyone knows he can be. Montez Sweat terrorizes QBs with his ridiculous speed.

Jonathan Allen, Da’Ron Payne, and Phidarian Mathis are a brick wall on the inside. The linebackers are solid (I said we had to be realistic so we can’t go overboard there). And the defensive backs shine with some of the young potential stars breaking out.

The Washington Commanders will not be perfect in 2022. But they have a lot of pieces in place to compete and to get fans excited for the future. In a perfect scenario, they win the Super Bowl. However, a realistic scenario could be a nice compensation prize.

Fans could be treated to double-digit wins, a division title, and a playoff win. Getting the answer at QB and WR, while the defense takes the turn into “juggernaut” are all possibilities as well.