Commanders’ strong offseason paying dividends

The Washington Commanders heart-stopping success can be traced to offseason camps and the draft.

Incoming coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters aligned on a strategy, signing veteran leaders like Austin Ekeler, Zach Ertz and Bobby Wagner who wanted more than one last payday. They added a strong 2024 draft and then spent days and nights preaching team and viola – Washington’s best record (12-5) since 1991.

The Commanders are not the NFL’s best roster. That’s probably the Detroit Lions (15-2), who host the Commanders in Saturday’s divisional playoffs. That the Lions are 8.5-point favorites over the NFL’s hottest team speaks to Detroit’s dominance this season.

But Washington has arguably the best chemistry and has shown remarkable resilience, making it a scary team in the postseason. The Commanders won five straight games to end the regular season, including three on the last play from scrimmage and a fourth courtesy of stopping a two-point conversion attempt on the final play. That’s on top of the Hail Mary victory over Chicago earlier this season.

The trend continued in the wild-card round, as the Commanders used a walk-off field goal to advance.

Wagner, Ertz and Ekeler are the heartbeat. Their dominance allows rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels to be his “Cool Hand Luke” persona of quiet confidence. When times are troubled, he’s the one saying, “We got this” and goes out and does it.

It’s reminiscent of former Washington/Denver cornerback Champ Bailey, who was a dominant personality for Washington without trying. People gravitated to him just like current Commanders flock to team minority owner Magic Johnson, who players hugged in the Tampa Bay tunnel celebrating the victory.

Washington has no running game. It’s defense too often allows easy touchdowns. The offensive line buckles. They’ve had six kickers this season.

And yet, Washington regroups in games. The team’s halftime adjustments are probably the best since Joe Gibbs’ Super Bowl runs from 1983-91. Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury regularly arrives at 3 a.m. to create his mad scientist playbook for countering times when Washington can’t crack an egg on the line.

Quinn spent the offseason and midseason preparing the team for playoff pressure even when few thought the team could make the postseason. They were supposed to win six games, according to experts. When a three-game losing streak turned a 7-2 start into 7-5, fans dialed back expectations.

But Quinn knew those tough losses would steel the team in deciding moments. And since then, they haven’t lost.

This season is Quinn’s Ted Talk on management. Find good people and ready them for bad times and you’ll emerge victorious.