Washington Commanders: Extreme outcomes for the 2023 season
By Hunter Noll
Washington Commanders’ 2023 best-case scenario
This one starts easily. Sam Howell looks like the first-overall pick that he was projected to be before his final year in College. The Washington Commanders have a franchise quarterback for the first time in forever.
Obviously, the best-case scenario involves Washington winning the Super Bowl. So let’s just focus on everything outside of that.
Terry McLaurin has a career year with a legitimate quarterback throwing him the ball for the first time in his time in the NFL. Jahan Dotson gets even better, and the Commanders suddenly have one of the best WR duos in football.
Brian Robinson takes a step forward and runs through defenses for over 1,000 yards. At the same time, Antonio Gibson excels in a more pass-heavy role. Cole Turner shows signs of being a top-tier tight end.
Meanwhile, the offensive line is cleaned up thanks to two rookies (Ricky Stromberg and Braeden Daniels) making immediate impacts and looking like long-time starters. Sam Cosmi turns into one of the best tackles in football.
On defense, the defensive line is somehow even better. Montez Sweat and Chase Young have the best seasons of their careers as they look for new contracts. It might be hard for Washington to sign both after that, but this is likely an issue they’d have anyway. Get a crazy year from both, and be happy signing one.
The linebackers are better than expected, with Jamin Davis blossoming into a star and Cody Barton proving to be a great under-the-radar signing.
Finally, there’s the secondary. Darrick Forrest, Kamren Curl, and rookie Jartavius Martin are a lethal trio at safety. Benjamin St-Juste takes another step forward, and Kendall Fuller does his job. First-round pick Emmanuel Forbes goes full Sauce Gardner and becomes one of the best cornerbacks in football in year one.
Tress Way continues to be the best punter in football, but for the first time in his career, he doesn’t need to be the team MVP because the Commanders are actually good.
Washington is in the best position as a franchise that they’ve ever been in. A franchise quarterback who will only be 23 at the end of the year, a Super Bowl, and very few holes still need fixing. Remember how good fans felt after Robert Griffin III’s rookie season? That times a million.