2. Washington Commanders, NFC East
There’s certainly been a lot of excitement over the last couple of months for the Commanders’ franchise. In bigger news, it seems like the franchise is soon to be rid of the toxic culture created by owner Dan Snyder. A sale is seemingly imminent, although nothing is finalized. It does feel like that’s where things are heading.
Beyond all that’s going on in the Commanders‘ front office, the team has made some necessary changes this offseason to its coaching staff. Most notably, they were able to lure Eric Bieniemy away from his sweet gig in Kansas City and make him their new offensive coordinator.
Bieniemy, undoubtedly looking for head coaching opportunities eventually, is now the offensive coordinator for the Commanders and their highly intriguing young core of players led by wide receivers Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson. The only question mark right now is — how good will Sam Howell be?
Once projected as a possible first-overall pick, Howell lasted to the 5th round of the 2022 NFL Draft where the Commanders scooped him up. He’s now in line to start Week 1 for this team but veteran Jacoby Brissett is the fail-safe.
The primary reasons why I think the Commanders could repeat as a last place team in the NFC East? Very simply, this division is still quite strong, and the questions surrounding Sam Howell as a full-time starter are too great. I liked Howell almost as much as the next person in the 2022 NFL Draft process, but the reality is, he’s a 5th-round pick who’s going to have to prove his worth on a team that faces long odds even to be third place in its own division.