The Washington Commanders' roster looks unrecognizable from the one head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters inherited. However, if this rising giant wants to make another deep postseason run in 2025, it needs their influential figures firing on all cylinders throughout.
One NFL analyst agreed, highlighting three key members of the squad who'll be integral to any success that comes Washington's way when competitive action resumes.
Being a surprise package is one thing. Nobody expected the Commanders to win 12 regular-season games and make the NFC Championship game last time around. But make no mistake, ensuring this becomes sustainable with raised expectations on their shoulders is a more challenging situation.
Commanders need their most influential trio to flourish further in 2025
The league expects big things from the Commanders. They have eight standalone games, five of which are in the prime-time stage. Quinn's squad are among the Super Bowl favorites with sportsbooks. Some are even projecting they will dethrone the Philadelphia Eagles en route to the NFC East title and the conference's No. 1 seed.
If the Commanders want to achieve these objectives, Trevor Sikkema from Pro Football Focus unsurprisingly believes quarterback Jayden Daniels, wide receiver Terry McLaurin, and linebacker Bobby Wagner are the three best players on Washington's squad with more responsibilities on their shoulders than most.
[Jayden] Daniels took the league by storm as a rookie, winning PFF’s Offensive Rookie of the Year. He posted a 90.6 overall grade (90.0 rushing, 84.7 passing) and led all quarterbacks with a 3.11 WAR. [Terry] McLaurin remained a steady star and has a cumulative three-year WAR of 1.31, seventh-best among all receivers. [Bobby] Wagner added yet another elite run-defense season to his résumé, earning a 91.2 grade, his third straight year above 91.0.Trevor Sikkema
This shouldn't come as a shock to anybody. Daniels, McLaurin, and Wagner spearheaded Quinn's locker room culture shift last season. They were at the peak of their powers on the field, and everyone willingly followed them into battle. Fans are hoping for the same again.
Daniels is the superstar quarterback with the world at his feet. McLaurin is an elite wide receiver who should get another lucrative extension before the campaign begins. Wagner is the cerebral assassin linebacker with first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Fame credentials. That's not a bad foundation for the Commanders to build around entering Year 2 under Quinn's guidance.
If this dynamic trio meets the standards expected, and others also meet their end of the bargain, it would be a big shock if the Commanders weren't contending for honors once again when the postseason arrives. Something that would also cement their status among the NFL's elite after decades in the wilderness.
