The Washington Commanders just wrapped up a 2025 season that honestly felt like a fever dream for most fans. One minute Jayden Daniels is the toast of the town, and the next, an eight-game losing streak has everyone checking draft positions. But the regular season is over. The dust has settled. Washington finished 5-12, good for third in the NFC East after a gritty Week 18 win against the Eagles.
So, who does Washington Commanders play next?
Since the team missed the playoffs, they don't have a "next game" on the calendar for a few months. No Wild Card weekend. No deep January run. Instead, the "next" thing is a long off-season followed by a 2026 slate that was just finalized. Because the NFL uses a formulaic scheduling rotation, we already know exactly which jerseys will be lining up across from the Burgundy and Gold when the 2026 season kicks off.
Breaking Down the 2026 Opponents
The NFL schedule isn't a mystery; it's math. Washington finished third in their division, which means they draw the third-place finishers from the other NFC divisions and one AFC division. In 2026, they also rotate to face the entire NFC West and AFC South.
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The Home Slate at Northwest Stadium
Getting fans back into the stands is a priority for Adam Peters and Dan Quinn. The home schedule for 2026 is actually pretty spicy. You obviously have the "Big Three" divisional rivals coming to town:
- Dallas Cowboys: It's always a circus when the Star comes to Landover.
- Philadelphia Eagles: Expect a lot of green in the stands, unfortunately.
- New York Giants: A battle to see who can escape the division basement.
Beyond the NFC East, Washington hosts some heavy hitters. The Houston Texans are coming to town, which means a showdown between Jayden Daniels and C.J. Stroud. That’s a network executive’s dream. Then you have the Los Angeles Rams and the Seattle Seahawks visiting from the West Coast. Rounding out the home games are the Indianapolis Colts, the Cincinnati Bengals (hello, Joe Burrow), and the Atlanta Falcons.
Road Warriors: Traveling in 2026
The away schedule looks like a brutal travel log. Washington has to fly out to face the San Francisco 49ers, which is never a fun trip for an East Coast team. They also head to the desert to play the Arizona Cardinals.
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The rest of the road schedule includes:
- Jacksonville Jaguars: A humid trip to Florida.
- Tennessee Titans: Nashville is great for fans, maybe less so for the secondary.
- Minnesota Vikings: A loud afternoon in the dome.
- The usual suspects: Trips to Philly, Dallas, and East Rutherford.
Why 2026 Feels Different
Honestly, the 5-12 record from this past season doesn't tell the whole story. Injuries absolutely gutted this roster. When you lose 15 key players, including your starting quarterback for a stretch and half your defensive line, winning games becomes a tall order.
The 2026 season is basically a "prove it" year for the Dan Quinn era. The schedule features five teams that made the 2025 postseason. It’s not a cakewalk. But with a healthy Jayden Daniels and a high draft pick—specifically targeting the offensive line or a lockdown corner—the outlook changes.
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The Jayden Daniels Factor
Everything hinges on #5. In 2025, he showed flashes of that Heisman magic before the injury bug bit. By the time the 2026 schedule kicks off, he'll be entering his third year. That's usually when quarterbacks take "The Leap." He’ll be facing prolific signal-callers like Burrow, Stroud, and Stafford. If he can go toe-to-toe with them, Washington stays relevant in December.
What Happens Now?
Since there isn't a game next Sunday, the focus shifts to the front office. Adam Peters has a massive off-season ahead. The Commanders have a healthy amount of cap space and a premium draft slot.
The immediate next steps for the organization are:
- The Scouting Combine: Finding the next wave of talent to fill those injury-prone gaps.
- Free Agency: Looking for veteran leadership, especially in the secondary which got torched in late 2025.
- The NFL Draft: Using that high pick to protect Daniels or disrupt the opposing QB.
Fans should keep an eye on the official schedule release in May. That’s when we’ll find out the actual dates and times. Will they open with a home divisional game? Will they get a primetime slot against the Bengals? We'll know soon enough. For now, the "next game" is a mental one played in the war room.