I am a D.C.-transplant now residing in Colorado. The Nov. 30 matchup between the Washington Commanders and Denver Broncos was an ode to a low-key rivalry that can be traced back to 1988 as its only significant historical relevancy. And maybe that nice trade between the franchises in 2004.
Ronald C. Modra/Getty Images; Timothy Hurst/The Denver Post
I received a text from a local Broncos fan after the game’s result, and it read, “That didn’t look like a 3-win team.”
I responded, “They are what their record is.”
After the Commanders’ embarrassing loss to the Minnesota Vikings this past Sunday, I continued my thread with the Broncos fan. I wrote, “You know what, you’re right, they don’t look like a 3-win team. They look like a 2-win team.”
Washington fans have every right to be unhappy, dissatisfied, disappointed, pessimistic and downright angry. In fact, if the franchise does not win their first Super Bowl since 1992 next season, I argue the fans have every right to be angry until the start of the 2028-29 season (results pending).
Sunday’s loss officially eliminated the Commanders from the playoffs, but it’s more than that. Washington as a franchise has not made consecutive postseasons since 1993. This indicates an outright failure to rebuild.
To put this in perspective, the team’s three division rivals have a combined 10 Super Bowl appearances and seven titles since the last time Washington made consecutive playoffs. The Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles have each rebuilt their respective franchises into streaks of contention multiple times during Washington’s pathetic drought of consistency.
Maybe 2024 was a fluke. Well, not maybe. It obviously was. Still, they had the momentum and pieces at the start of the season to at least make a run at a Wild Card spot. Yes, the injuries have been dreadful, unlike anything I’ve ever seen as a football fan, but this is the NFL, and there should be some level of competitiveness when backups step onto the field. During this losing streak, Washington has lost five of the eight games by over 20 points. That is absolutely inexcusable.
The future is glum, and that is not a bitter overreaction. It’s just what this franchise gives you.
It starts at the top
Ownership has duped the fanbase. They’re like that great guy a girl brings home who charms mom and dad, but they don’t care, because anyone is better than her sleazy disaster of an ex-boyfriend. I think we all know who we’re talking about here.
The infatuation of the new guy has now worn off because he seems kind of bad at managing things and is making deals with questionable new friends, but they’re kind of living together already, which makes it harder for a breakup.
I have doubts about Josh Harris and creating a winning culture. This is turning out to just be another investment, it appears. Harris is also the managing partner of Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils.
Since Harris acquired the 76ers in 2011, the team has underachieved with a talented roster, making the playoffs eight times, but never advancing past the conference semifinals.
Before he acquired the Devils in 2013, the franchise had only missed the postseason four times since 1988, making the Stanley Cup Final five times and hoisting three Cups. After 2013, the Devils have made the playoffs three times, never making it past the second round.
Now his Commanders’ tenure is off to a wishy-washy start. You could argue that Magic Johnson brings a winning culture to franchise as part owner, but this isn’t the 1980s NBA, and with the NFL, he doesn’t have the ability to buy championships with a billion-dollar payroll like he can in MLB.
Maybe it’s in the Potomac
Harris has a DMV connection, so he kind of fits the mold of disappointment. If you include the Baltimore Orioles’ terrible season, mismanaged by a general manager with past success, this has been a tough year for DMV fans.
The Ravens? Underachieving. Enough said.
The Nationals? Earned that 28th best record in the league last season. Oh, and have finished last in a division that also includes the Marlins five of six years since winning the 2019 World Series somehow.
The Caps? Just wait until their early postseason exit. They’ve gone 1-6 in playoff series since winning the 2018 Stanley Cup.
The Wizards? I can’t even. The NBA should take on a relegation system and demote them.
D.C. United? Last in the eastern conference, again. However, they actually hold the DMV’s most major professional titles with four MLS Cups. Oh, that’s right, no one cares about soccer there still.
The Spirit? Maybe they do care about soccer. Though they have lost the last two NWSL Championships, they are the area’s most recent champion, winning in 2021.
The Mystics? Young and talented. Start investing more in women’s sports, DMV fans, they may be your only hope. Their rebuild is already over since winning the 2019 WNBA title. Take note, Commanders.
Moving forward
Adam Peters, another GM with past success, needs to do something. It is hard to justify having the oldest team in the league when you’re trying to build around a young quarterback who is coming off an Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign in 2024. Thirteen of Washington’s 22 free agents are over the age of 30, and another four are about limp into that same decade of adulthood.
Washington’s record before the 2025 trade deadline was 3-6 and their season was becoming increasingly uglier. With that many pending free agents, there should have been at least one trade for draft capital. Especially considering that the team gave up five draft choices for Laremy Tunsil and Deebo Samuel in the offseason. They received two picks in return, but still have only six selections in the 2026 draft with a lot of needs. Only the Cowboys, Falcons and Chargers have less picks come April, as it stands now.
Jayden Daniels will eventually fetch a lucrative contract, however, there is a concern here.
The obvious issue is Daniels’ durability. This season has been a disaster. He has been injured four times, playing in seven games and posting a 2-5 record with a dismal 45.7 rating. That’s good for 24th in the league. Marcus Mariota has a 55.4 rating in one less game, just as a depressing note.
Last year, he started all 20 games for Washington, but he did leave two games due to injuries.
And, it was Daniels’ errant fumble against the Chicago Bears on Oct. 13 that kick-started this fun losing streak.
With durability concerns, a sophomore slump and crucial mistakes at inopportune times, there is concern for the future of the franchise, and the fanbase has every right to be concerned because they have seen this script before.
This team needs a lot, which means the rebuild isn’t as far along as initially thought. Hopefully they don’t change architects quite yet, but it’s not like that doesn’t happen in the area. The fans are done being patient, because, frankly, they don’t have to be.
Embrace the frustration and pessimism, Commanders fans, and don’t feel bad about it. You’ve earned this cathartic moment.
Carl Lawrence Knauf 