The Washington Commanders can't have too many complaints about how the 2024 season panned out. Dan Quinn led a dramatic transformation that saw his team turn the league's second-worst record into an NFC Championship Game appearance.
The arrow is pointing directly upward for this young team. Jayden Daniels is a superstar, and the Commanders' 2024 rookie class offers hope for the future.
Still, the embarrassing playoff exit to the rival Philadelphia Eagles stings, and watching them dominate the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 59 hurts even more.
Unfortunately, the Commanders played an important part in the Eagles' defensive turnaround.
Commanders allowed Eagles to trade up for Super Bowl star Cooper DeJean
It certainly raised eyebrows when the Commanders sent the No. 40 overall pick to the *checks notes* division-rival Eagles during the 2024 NFL Draft. Philadelphia used the pick to land Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean, a prospect many believed could interest Washington.
The Commanders received three picks from the Eagles, which they used to select cornerback Mike Sainristil, tight end Ben Sinnott, and linebacker/safety Dominique Hampton. Philadelphia landed DeJean before using the other acquired picks to trade down several times.
DeJean has become an immediate star for the Eagles, earning PFWA All-Rookie Team honors while receiving votes for the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
He arguably made the play of Super Bowl 59 with a pick-six of Patrick Mahomes.
Sainristil is a star. The Commanders can have no regrets about that decision, but the comparisons to DeJean will remain. Sinnott has huge potential but didn't get enough opportunities in his rookie season, while Hampton played all of six special teams snaps.
DeJean has made a huge impact in the Eagles' secondary, and the Commanders allowed them to make the pick. That hurts. It would sting more had Sanristil not become an instant contributor, but the Commanders could've kept the pick and selected DeJean.
The Commanders can only focus on themselves. They have one of the league's rising stars at quarterback and an exciting team around him.
That said, the Eagles still have the bragging rights, and the DeJean trade may come back to haunt the Commanders.
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