The ball has dropped and the calendar has flipped to 2024, meaning the big year of changes for the Washington Commanders is now upon us. And after Sunday's 27-10 defeat to the San Francisco 49ers – Washington's final game of 2023 – there is just one more game before a monumental amount of work for new owner Josh Harris and crew to begin.
Jonathan Allen said "he's very numb when it comes to" big offseason changes because he's experienced it all in the NFL during his weekly appearance on Monday with 106.7 The Fan's The Sports Junkies, which is presented exclusively by our partners at MainStreet Bank — Cheer Local. Bank Local. Put Our Team in Your Office.
But Allen added that "I would expect change" coming to the organization this offseason. However, with change so constant in the NFL – Allen pointed to even successful teams losing coordinators, coaches and players each year – that being adaptable is part of the deal.
After the game Sunday, wide receiver Terry McLaurin praised the 49ers' culture. "You want to be a part of something that is sustainable and you're winning and competing at a high level. You know, they've got a great staff over there. They've got great players. You can tell that they love playing together," he said. "... it kind of reminds me [of] a little bit at Ohio State. The kind of culture that they have and everything. You see why they have the success that they do."
Allen said McLaurin "is not wrong."
"I completely agree with him," Allen told the Junkies. "And I think there's reasons why these certain organizations win consistently and it starts with the top down."
He added: "I think we have the players, I think we do have the coaches, I think we do have everything. But with the new ownership... focus on what you can control and control what you can control."
Allen also discusses battling with former teammate Trent Williams – and the left tackle maybe getting away with a holding call – and how it wasn't "a big deal" for him to face off against former teammate Chase Young after his trade to San Francisco at the deadline.
