It was supposed to be the year. Coming off a 12-5 season and a deep playoff run that saw them in the NFC Championship, fans in D.C. were actually, legitimately excited. But the Washington Commanders record this year ended at a disappointing 5-12. If you feel like that’s a gut punch, you aren't alone.
The drop-off was steep. Honestly, it was a weird mix of bad luck, key injuries, and a defense that basically forgot how to stop anybody for about two months. They started 3-2. People were still believing. Then the wheels didn't just fall off; they exploded. An eight-game losing streak mid-season turned what looked like a re-tooling year into a complete tailspin.
The Reality of the Washington Commanders Record This Year
So, what happened? First off, let's look at the numbers. Finishing 5-12 put Washington third in the NFC East. They were ahead of the Giants (4-13) but miles behind the Eagles (11-6) and the Cowboys (7-9-1). That losing streak from Week 6 to Week 14 was the longest for the franchise in years.
It wasn't just losing; it was how they lost. During one stretch, they became the first NFL team in over two decades to lose four straight games by 21 points or more. That’s hard to do even if you’re trying.
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Key Moments and Ugly Stats
- The International Slump: The Week 11 loss to the Dolphins in Madrid, Spain. A 16-13 heartbreaker in overtime that seemed to drain the last bit of life out of the locker room.
- The Shutout: Week 14 against the Vikings. 31-0. That was the official "math" game where they were eliminated from the playoffs.
- The Silver Lining: They actually ended on a high note, beating the Eagles 24-17 in Week 18. It didn't change the season, but it messed up Philly’s seeding and gave fans something to talk about at the bar.
Injuries Derailed Everything
You can't talk about the Washington Commanders record this year without mentioning Jayden Daniels. The 2024 Rookie of the Year was the heart of the team. When he went down, the offense lost its soul. Marcus Mariota stepped in, and while he’s a pro’s pro, the dynamic playmaking just vanished.
Terry McLaurin also missed significant time. When your QB1 and WR1 are both struggling with health, your playbook shrinks to about five pages. It’s tough to win in the modern NFL when you can't push the ball downfield.
Defensive Struggles
Joe Whitt Jr. had a rough go as defensive coordinator. By January, he was out. The team is currently looking for a replacement, and names like Jonathan Gannon have been floating around the rumor mill. The defense allowed 451 points this year. Compare that to the Eagles, who only allowed 325, and you see the massive gap.
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Bobby Wagner was one of the few bright spots. Even at 35, the guy is a machine. He notched 162 tackles and joined the 2,000-career-tackle club. It’s kinda wild that a season this bad still featured a Hall of Fame performance from a linebacker.
Looking at the Roster Performance
The front office, led by Adam Peters, tried to make moves. They brought in Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil to stabilize things. Tunsil was great at left tackle—honestly, he might be the only reason the quarterbacks didn't end up in the hospital more often.
But the depth wasn't there. When the starters started hitting the IR, the replacements couldn't hold the line.
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- Passing: Marcus Mariota ended up with 1,695 yards and 10 touchdowns. Respectable for a backup, but not enough to carry a 17-game season.
- Rushing: Rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt was a surprise. 805 yards and 8 touchdowns for a kid from Arizona? Nobody saw that coming.
- Defense: Von Miller managed 9 sacks, showing there's still some gas in the tank, but the secondary was a sieve. Mike Sainristil had 4 interceptions, proving he’s a keeper, but he was often left on an island.
What Most People Get Wrong
A lot of folks think this was a "blow it up" year. It really wasn't. Dan Quinn was fighting to keep the identity of the team intact while the roster was crumbling around him. The fact they came back and beat the Giants and Eagles in the final month shows the locker room didn't quit. That matters for 2026.
Basically, the 2025 season was a reality check. The 2024 success was perhaps a bit ahead of schedule, and this year showed that the offensive line and defensive secondary still need major work.
Next Steps for the Franchise
The Commanders are heading into the 2026 offseason with a lot of questions but some solid draft capital. With a new offensive coordinator in David Blough and a vacancy at DC, the coaching staff is getting a facelift.
- Prioritize the O-Line: Josh Conerly Jr. looks like a cornerstone, but they need more bodies. Expect them to target interior linemen early in the draft or in free agency.
- Fix the Secondary: You can't give up 44 points to the Lions and Cowboys and expect to compete. They need a shutdown corner to pair with Sainristil.
- Keep Jayden Healthy: This is the big one. Whether it's the scheme or the protection, Daniels has to be on the field for 17 games if this team wants to see 10+ wins again.
The Washington Commanders record this year isn't what anyone wanted, but the pieces for a turnaround are still on the board. It’s a matter of staying healthy and finding a defensive identity that doesn't involve giving up 30 points a game.
If you are looking to track the upcoming changes, keep an eye on the defensive coordinator search. That hire will tell you exactly how Dan Quinn plans to fix the mess that was the 2025 defense. Also, watch the cap space—Washington has enough room to make a splash in free agency if they decide to be aggressive again.