'Work in Progress': Washington Must Earn Respect on Field in 2022

Don't count on fan and media hype this offseason for the Washington Commanders

Last offseason, the Washington Commanders were on the verge of being the next big thing. 

Final four projections in the NFC had fans and media alike grouping the 2021 Washington team with the likes of the Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay Packers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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When Ryan Fitzpatrick left with a season-ending injury in Week 1, it turned out the chances of Washington living up to expectations left with him.

© Mike De Sisti / The | 2021 Jan 24

While many expected Washington to compete with the likes of Aaron Rodgers (No. 12) and the Green Bay Packers, performance didn't reach those aspirations.

Washington was once considered to be a darkhorse Super Bowl contender, like the Rams. Only, Los Angeles made good on their projections.

One year later, most of the 2021 starting roster is back, minus a few key names like guard Brandon Scherff and safety Landon Collins. 

But the value the names on the team carry has diminished greatly, specifically when it comes to defensive end Chase Young who was struggling to make an impact before he was lost for the year to his own season-ending injury. 

Now, everyone is in a wait-and-see mode with the Commanders for 2022. 

In a recent analysis of NFC rosters, Marc Sessler of NFL.com broke the conference into specific categories: Battling for the Throne, Postseason or Bust, Playoff Contenders, and Work in Progress.

Washington fell into the final group, and Sessler's evaluation of the team was even less complimentary than the category he placed them in. 

After mentioning the Carolina Panthers as a potential landing spot for Liberty quarterback Malik Willis in the 2022 NFL Draft, Sessler listed Washington as a disappointing alternate option for the soon-to-be rookie. 

"The Commanders were a candidate to chase after Willis, too," Sessler wrote. "Until they seemingly panicked and traded for iffy Carson Wentz and his unwieldy salary. Why not just swing for a rookie arm to pair with the gritty Taylor Heinicke?"

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Washington wide receiver Terry McLaurin's career is off to an impressive start, even while his team continues to be less than impressive as a whole.

Trading for quarterback Carson Wentz, the Commanders felt they upgraded the roster and their team, but media and fans have yet to show overwhelming support for the move.

Safety Landon Collins is one of two starters from 2021 who won't play for the team in 2022, yet the level of excitement has diminished greatly from last offseason.

If we're honest, we all think we know better than those occupying sideline and front office jobs from time to time. 

The Carson Wentz trade has brought out the best - or worst - in all of our internal general manager and head coaching skills. 

And it's clear that until the 2022 Washington Commanders show cause for excitement in the upcoming season, there simply won't be any.