It’s January 2026, and looking back at the 2025 season for the Washington Commanders—still occasionally searched for by the old "Redskins" moniker—is honestly a bit of a gut punch. Fans went into the year with massive expectations. We’re talking Super Bowl whispers. Instead, the team staggered to a 5-12 finish, leaving the Washington Commanders depth chart 2025 looking like a puzzle with several missing pieces.
Adam Peters took some massive swings. He traded for Laremy Tunsil. He brought in Deebo Samuel. He even nabbed Marshon Lattimore. On paper? It looked like a Madden dream team. In reality? The roster felt old, the injury bug bit hard, and the chemistry just never clicked.
The Jayden Daniels Factor and a Shaky Offense
Everything in D.C. starts and ends with Jayden Daniels. He’s the undisputed QB1. When he’s on, he’s electric—a true dual-threat nightmare. But 2025 was tough on him. He dealt with a nagging elbow issue that had him listed as questionable more often than anyone liked. Behind him, the veteran presence of Marcus Mariota and Jeff Driskel provided some security, but nobody is buying tickets to see the backups.
The wide receiver room was supposed to be a highlight reel. Terry McLaurin remained the heartbeat of the team, though even he wasn't immune to the occasional stint on the injury report. Pairing him with Deebo Samuel Sr. was a bold move by Peters, but Deebo’s physical playstyle leads to wear and tear. When those two were healthy, the offense hummed. When they weren't? It fell on guys like Treylon Burks and Chris Moore to move the chains.
Luke McCaffrey showed flashes early on, but a collarbone injury ended his sophomore campaign prematurely. It’s that kind of year.
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The O-Line Overhaul
Protecting the franchise was the priority. Trading for Laremy Tunsil gave them a brick wall at left tackle, but the rest of the line was a revolving door.
- Left Tackle: Laremy Tunsil (The cornerstone)
- Left Guard: Brandon Coleman / Chris Paul
- Center: Tyler Biadasz (He hit the IR with a knee injury, forcing Nick Allegretti to slide over)
- Right Guard: Sam Cosmi (Elite until a concussion landed him on IR)
- Right Tackle: Josh Conerly Jr. (The rookie from Oregon who actually held his own)
Defense: A Tale of Two Tiers
Dan Quinn’s defense was a rollercoaster. The interior remains the "Alabama Wall" with Daron Payne and Javon Kinlaw, but there’s a lot of talk about Payne potentially being on the trade block this offseason. He’s been here since 2018—the longest-tenured player besides Tress Way—but his production is dipping.
The linebacker corps featured legends like Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu. Watching Wagner rack up 162 tackles at age 35 is impressive, yet you could see the age catching up in pass coverage. They’ve got young blood waiting in Jordan Magee and the rookie Kain Medrano, but Quinn leaned heavily on the vets.
In the secondary, Marshon Lattimore was the big-ticket acquisition, but a torn ACL ended his season early. That forced rookie Trey Amos into a starting role sooner than expected. Mike Sainristil was a bright spot, though, snagging four interceptions and proving he belongs in the league.
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Why the 2025 Roster Underperformed
Basically, the team was too old. Adam Peters admitted as much recently. They spent draft capital—picks that could have been used on young, cheap talent—to get guys like Tunsil and Deebo. While those players are stars, the depth behind them was nonexistent. When the starters went down, the drop-off was a cliff.
The coaching staff is already seeing a shake-up. Kliff Kingsbury is out, and David Blough is stepping in as the new Offensive Coordinator. There’s a feeling that the "Spread" offense didn't quite mesh with the personnel, and Blough might move toward more wide-zone concepts to help the run game.
Special Teams: The One Constant
If there’s one thing Commanders fans don't have to worry about, it’s the leg of Tress Way. He’s still booming punts and remains a fan favorite. The team also moved on from the kicking carousel by signing Matt Gay, who provided some much-needed stability. Jaylin Lane took over return duties, giving the unit a spark that had been missing for years.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Pivot
So, what’s the move? The Washington Commanders depth chart 2025 is effectively a blueprint of what not to do with a young quarterback. You can't just buy a championship by trading away every mid-round pick for aging stars.
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The front office needs to:
- Prioritize the Draft: They only have six picks in 2026. They need to find a way to get more, possibly by moving Daron Payne or other veterans.
- Protect Jayden: The offensive line needs more than just Tunsil. They need youth and durability.
- Youth Movement on Defense: It’s time to let the Jordan Magees and Trey Amoses of the world play.
The era of being the "Redskins" is long gone, and the "Commanders" era is still trying to find its footing. 2025 was a step back, but with a talent like Daniels, the window isn't closed—it just needs a better frame.
To get this team back on track, keep an eye on the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft in April. If Peters can land a blue-chip defender like Caleb Downs or more protection for Daniels, the narrative in D.C. could shift very quickly. Stop looking at the names on the back of the jerseys and start looking at the snap counts; the guys who stay on the field are the ones who will save this franchise.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Monitor the trade market for Daron Payne; his departure could signal a full youth movement.
- Watch David Blough’s scheme changes during the 2026 preseason to see how Jayden Daniels’ role evolves.
- Check the health of Sam Cosmi and Tyler Biadasz, as the interior O-line remains the team's biggest "if."