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Commanders projected to take step back next season

The Washington Commanders made it to the NFC Championship this past season. Can they do so again in 2025?
Jeremy Brener|
Dec 1, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
Dec 1, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images | Amber Searls-Imagn Images

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Washington Commanders

The Washington Commanders were one of the best teams in the NFL this past season, but that doesn't mean things are guaranteed to stay that way.

ESPN analyst Aaron Schatz listed the Commanders as the team most likely to take a step back for the 2025 season.

READ MORE: Super Bowl in D.C.? Mayor says it’s possible with a new Commanders stadium

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) celebrates with wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17)
Jan 12, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) celebrates with wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) after winning a NFC wild card playoff against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Step back for Commanders?

"When a team pulls off a magical run to the conference championship despite not being one of the two or three best teams in the conference, you usually see a step back the following season. And when quarterbacks are as good as Jayden Daniels was as a rookie, they usually don't take the step forward that fans expect because they're already very good and there's not much room to improve," Schatz writes.

The Commanders set a high bar in Daniels' first year that will make it far to reach again in 2025. However, they have the culture set in place and the quarterback geared up for the future, and that's always the hard part.

Now, it's about ensuring all of this work gets done with the cap space the team has.

READ MORE: Analysts urge Commanders to sign wide receiver Tee Higgins

Stick with CommanderGameday and the Locked On Commanders podcast for more FREE coverage of the Washington Commanders throughout the 2024 season.

More Washington Commanders News

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• Commanders named a top landing spot for Super Bowl champion WR

• NFL executive slams Commanders, praises Jayden Daniels

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several On SI sites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid and resides in Central Florida. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener.

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