6 Commanders longshots who could see expanded roles with nothing left to lose

"The Washington Commanders' roster is too old. A 3-8 record with aging personnel implies bigger problems than a bad string of injuries. But those injuries have mattered, and it would be wrong to overstate the problem. The Commanders are in better shape now than at any point over the last decade. If they had nothing beyond Jayden Daniels, that would still be true."

"Tanking is just about the stupidest thing a football team could ever try to do. It can't be done. However, there comes a time when coaches and management need to accept that a season is largely lost and that evaluations must be made for the future. The Commanders have reached that point. Tanking - using inferior players with the intention of losing and thereby improving draft position - is anathema to everything in an athlete's psyche."

"Besides, it just doesn't work. At least not often enough to risk the immense downside. If it worked, the Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears would be playoff challengers because Trevor Lawrence and Caleb Williams were supposed to be can't-miss prospects. Instead, the Vince Lombardi trophy was hoisted by Jalen Hurts, a second-round pick who analysts love to trash. That's because he is better than those experts are willing to admit, and because Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman built the best roster in football."

The Washington Commanders possess an aging roster and a 3-8 record that suggest deeper issues than recent injuries. Injuries have mattered, but the team is in better shape than at any point in the past decade thanks to rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. Coaches and management should accept the season is largely lost and prioritize evaluating young players for the future. Tanking is destructive to player psychology, breeds a losing culture, and rarely produces the expected draft rewards. Building an elite team requires pairing quarterback talent with strong roster construction, and Adam Peters must assess and give opportunities to young players under contract.

Read at Riggo's Rag