The NFL thrives on parity and dynasties.
The illusion anyone can contend is annually boosted by the current rise of Detroit, Cleveland or Jacksonville. After years of losing of mediocrity, that trio gave long-suffering fans a whiff of hope. Not enough to win it all because perennial powerhouses Kansas City and San Francisco reached the Super Bowl, but still proving hope is always alive in the NFL.
So . . . when is Washington’s turn?
In past generations, the Redskins spent 20 years dominating the league. Between coach George Allen’s 1971-77 run that netted seven winning seasons, five playoff berths and one Super Bowl loss and coach Joe Gibbs’ 1981-92 era of 10 winning seasons versus one .500 and one losing mark netting three Super Bowl trophies, Washington was the gold standard of franchises.
Now on its 10th coach since Gibbs’ first departure in 1993, Washington has seven winning seasons, six playoff appearances and one playoff victory. It hasn’t managed a winning year since 2016 with a mediocre 8-7-1.
I’d say that qualifies for Washington as the next emerging sleeper.
Washington just needs to be right over who its next quarterback is, find four offensive line starters and two defensive ends, rebuild linebacking and punch up the secondary, and add a new pass-catching tight end and another receiver.
Basically, Washington has a couple interior defensive linemen, a right guard, one receiver and a running back to rely upon. The rest needs work.
So new general manager Adam Peters – you’re on the clock for a miracle. And new coach Dan Quinn – you need to work seven wonders magic. And oh yeah, new owner Josh Harris – leave your checkbook and go visit those three mystery sites mentioned for a new stadium, so whenever this team is any good, people will stop by RFK, Landover or Loudoun County to see it.
It sounds insurmountable. Yet, the NFL parity plan can make this happen in a few years.
The biggest decision is quarterback. Do the Commanders stick with Sam Howell and spin that second overall pick into a stream of players, or go for bust with a rookie passer? The next four years rely upon that decision being right. Missing on a top pick, especially a quarterback like Heath Shuler or Robert Griffin, sets the team back years.
Somehow, Peters and Quinn must decide if Howell is better than 2023, when he was asked to do Tom Brady-like things and carry the franchise. No matter Howell was given no blocking, little running game, a defense that often put Washington in an early 20-0 hole, and less-than-solid play calling. The Commanders must parse through game film for Easter eggs to see if, given the proper support, the team can win with Howell.
If so, that No. 2 overall pick becomes a massive key. It would be nice to take a generational receiver like Marvin Harrison Jr. But, a chance to get three solid players via trade is more important in a total rebuild.
If Howell isn’t it, Washington needs to trade him for draft capital and go all in on a quarterback. The problem – Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels don’t scream can’t miss. It’s more like a siren’s call near rocky shorelines.
The rest of the rebuild relies upon Peters’ smarts as a former scout and Harris’ deep pockets. Peters prefers to patiently rebuild through the draft, but Washington doesn’t have that kind of time. Not with a new stadium coming in five or so years. Harris needs a contender to make people buy tickets to fund a surely expensive venue. That requires winning, or visiting fans will pay once annually to see their favorite team versus lethargic locals. So, heavy spending on free agency is needed, too.
The calendar isn’t ticking on a five-year rebuild. Detroit, Cleveland and Jacksonville show the future can be now if wise men follow the stars.
So, why not Washington?
