Three Surprising Outcomes For 2023 Washington Commanders
It is a new era in Washington Commanders football as longtime owner Dan Snyder has sold the team, and one of the most disliked people in all of sports in no longer in charge. As the Commanders look ahead to the 2023 NFL Season, fans are hoping it will give them the answers they have been looking for.
Questions like, "Can Sam Howell be a franchise quarterback?" and "Can Chase Young and the defense regain form?" should be figured out by the time the season concludes. In this article, I will be going over the three outcomes that could happen this season. This includes the best, worst, and most realistic outcomes for the Washington Commanders. First, let's take a look at the offseason moves.
Additions: QB Jacoby Brissett, LB Cody Barton, K Michael Badgley, T Andrew Wylie Subtractions: CB Bobby McCain, G Trai Turner, QB Taylor Heinicke Notable Draft Picks: CB Emmanuel Forbes (first-round), EDGE KJ Henry (fifth-round)
O/U 2023 Wins: 6.5
Last Season Record: 8-8-1
The Best Outcome For The Washington Commanders
10-7 3rd NFC East
After finishing 8-8-1 last season, the Commanders would hope to do better, which all starts with the quarterback. After adding one of the league's best offensive coordinators in Eric Bieniemy, who helped Patrick Mahomes turn into a superstar, the Commanders hope he can work his magic with Sam Howell. Howell, a fifth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, finished the season strong and looks to improve on that as well.
In this scenario, Howell throws for 25+ touchdowns and looks like a franchise quarterback. Running back Brian Robinson Jr has a breakout season scoring 10+ touchdowns and looks like the best running back in the East, even better than Saquon. And finally, Terry McLaurin finally has a good quarterback throwing to him, leading to his career-best season.
The Commanders' defense is crucial to this winning season, as Chase Young is not traded and goes off, leading to a massive payday in the offseason. Although they don't win the East, the Commanders finish as the sixth seed and head to Detroit, where the Lions in this scenario, finally make the playoffs.
The Commanders have a team built enough to beat Detroit, which would then take them to Philadelphia, where they would fall to the Eagles. But nonetheless, a playoff win and a bright future is enough to give fans hope again, as Washington football would be back in business.
The Worst Outcome For The Washington Commanders
4-13 4th NFC East
In this scenario, the worst case might end up as the best case. Unfortunately, Howell is not a franchise quarterback, and the defense does not regain its form. A big disappointment in D.C., Washington struggles throughout the season, leading to head coach Ron Rivera being fired. Backup Jacoby Brissett replaces Howell midway through the season, but cannot boost the team.
But all is not lost, as Eric Bieniemy is promoted to head coach, and the Commanders would hold the first overall pick in the draft. They would get to select highly touted prospect Caleb Williams from USC, who has been compared to Patrick Mahomes. Williams and Bieniemy would make the perfect fit.
So although this is the worst scenario for the 2023 season, it could end up being the best for the team's future, and sparking a new era of Commanders football with a new owner, coach, and franchise quarterback.
The Most Realistic Outcome For The Washington Commanders
7-10 4th NFC East
The most realistic outcome for the Commanders would be sitting around the middle of the league. I can see Sam Howell doing well for the Commanders, throwing 20+ touchdowns and being solid. The defense, I think, I will get back into the top-ten and sneak out wins. But unfortunately, Washington would fall again to the bottom of the NFC East, and take another mid-round pick.
I feel that Ron Rivera could be let go as well in this scenario, as ownership might want to find its own preferred coach, and although they won't have the first overall pick, they could still get a good quarterback like Texas' Quinn Ewers, or maybe trade up for another UNC quarterback in Drake Maye.
Which outcome do you think is the most realistic for the Washington Commanders?
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