Happy holidays! While I cannot personally halt the Washington Commanders’ losing streak, answering your mailbag questions about what’s going on amid this three-game slide is up my alley.
Several questions focused on the notion of Kliff Kingsbury’s offenses regressing and Jayden Daniels’ recent performances, so we spun that off into a separate story.
Some questions were edited for space and clarity.
When Marshon Lattimore finally debuts for Washington, what type of personnel and coverage changes are you expecting? Are there indications the coaching staff will leave him on an island? Who drops out of the rotation? — Cam B.
Let’s start with that last piece, though the news here is Lattimore joined practice this week. At the time of the trade, and with coach Dan Quinn saying he sees Mike Sainristil in the slot long term, the thought was to move the rookie inside and leave Benjamin St-Juste as the other outside cornerback. That line of thinking needs an update.
St-Juste received 58 percent of Washington’s 66 defensive snaps against Dallas. That is his lowest snap count percentage since the 2021 third-round pick’s rookie season. In 2024, he’s played at least 94 percent of every game other than the Week 7 blowout over Carolina until dropping to 72 percent in the Thursday night loss to Philadelphia. Cramps accounted for that dip. St-Juste was not on the injury report for Dallas week.
Meanwhile, Sainristil’s toughness and instincts impress coaches, even though the 5-foot-10 corner gives up size in most matchups. Against the Cowboys, Sainristil and Noah Igbinoghene sat a combined three snaps, while Michael Davis and St-Juste split the other reps. The read is that Sainristil is emerging as Lattimore’s outside partner, with Igbinoghene remaining in the slot and Emmanuel Forbes Jr. becoming permanently inactive, barring injuries.
Lattimore played almost exclusively on the right side with the New Orleans Saints, though the four-time Pro Bowler has bounced around more in other years. Quinn’s first comments after the trade highlighted the corner’s coverage versatility. Expect him to move around. Lattimore can play on an island. The challenge is integrating him into the scheme or making changes for the other defensive backs this late into the season.
Now that they’ve hit a speed bump, everyone is acting like the sky is falling. Even if the Commanders don’t win another game, shouldn’t we still consider this season a success overall and feel like the team is headed in the right direction? — Brandon H.
The organization’s approach made complete sense to my purveyor from the start. They have a star quarterback in the making and building blocks on the roster. There’s ample salary-cap space, thanks partly to the quarterback’s cost-effective rookie contract. Because of the smart first-year strategy, general manager Adam Peters is expected to be more aggressive with top free agents.
Given the offense’s recent struggles and the lack of talent catching up on defense, is this season heading toward a full-fledged collapse? — Yasin J.
So much for optimism. I’ll say this: The Commanders better win against the 3-8 Tennessee Titans or nobody will have a relaxing bye in Week 14. Ten wins almost assuredly will secure the NFC’s third wild-card spot. Nine might be enough unless two teams from the NFC West match that win total. Then tiebreakers enter the picture. Make the playoffs with a winning record and people will look past the number of victories. The bye week finally arriving is welcomed news. Perhaps the break recharges the players and staff. That’s a tall task with a loss on Sunday.
Why would Quinn not go for two after Terry McLaurin’s TD with all the momentum and the kicking game in disarray? — Sami M.
I posted thoughts on X this week. As we know, Austin Seibert, who was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, missed the extra point. Tyler Ott’s snap was low, and Tress Way expertly snatched the ball to give Seibert a shot. Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey said, “They’re lucky to get that one off with where the snap was at.”
The Daniels Hail Mary against the Chicago Bears ended the game. Here, you’re asking the delirious offense after an 86-yard bonkers play to immediately calm down and execute a two-point try at the other end of the field. That’s rough. With all the data at hand, kicking the extra point and taking the momentum to overtime is both a defensible and logical move.
Quinn shared on Wednesday that the kicker reported a groin injury on Monday. That’s notable, at least for debate over whether the hip injury that kept Seibert out two games hindered him against the Cowboys. Zane Gonzalez, Seibert’s fill-in while he was out, has one more free elevation off the practice squad.
Gonzalez would give Washington a better option on kickoffs. Seibert ranks last in touchback percentage (23.3) among 39 kickers with at least 15 kickoffs. Gonzalez is 57 percent for his career. Quinn said Washington is comfortable letting its coverage team slow down returners, and the Commanders had Seibert kick a bouncing “dirty ball” to KaVontae Turpin in the fourth quarter rather than boot it deep. Then the Cowboys returner spun and sped his way to a 99-yard touchdown. Turpin also had returns of 38 and 29 yards.
Even though you hate receivers, isn’t it obvious that they need another top option besides McLaurin? Tee Higgins makes a ton of sense from an age, skill and type of player standpoint. Would you invest in offensive skill positions this offseason? — John L.
John, don’t be that guy who misrepresents my perfectly logical view (insert winking face). Wide receivers are also incredibly valuable, at least in the top tiers. My issue is that spending heavily on two receivers simultaneously is poor roster/cap management, considering it’s a highly dependent position and receivers are in abundance every year via the draft. Have one high-priced, stellar veteran and select one early in April.
Washington needs more speed across the offense. McLaurin is here, though there might be extension talk this offseason since zero guaranteed dollars exist on the contract’s final year. Talking broadly, I’m targeting a receiver in the first two rounds for WR2 over signing a high-priced veteran. Call an audible if upgrading the receiver position becomes Washington’s best chance to add talent in free agency.
Happy Thanksgiving, Ben. Which Washington players with expiring contracts in 2025 will get extensions? — Tim F.
Michael R. asked a similar question, so let’s address both. There’s a reason why Washington has approximately $99.7 million in available 2025 salary-cap space, per Over the Cap. The Commanders have roughly 28 free agents, including nine starters and several high-rotation players from all three phases. Others with multiple years remaining, like offensive tackle Andrew Wylie and running back Austin Ekeler, could become salary-cap cuts.
Some of those funds will go toward outside free agents, but the front office must earmark plenty to keep its guys. How the front office assesses strengths/weaknesses and possible targets in free agency and the draft will shape who the Commanders look to keep. There might be over a dozen who return, but let’s prioritize. As for the internal 2025 free agents, here are my top priorities:
John Bates — Zach Ertz is another free agent. While he might finish with 65 receptions this season and hasn’t missed time, Washington should look for more significant potential than a tight end slowed by injuries over the years who turns 35 in 2025. The staff likes Bates’ physicality; he has better hands than most assume and is half of two-tight end sets.
Jeremy Chinn – Though the ex-Panther started slower than some higher-profile free agents signed, Chinn has become a hard-hitting presence in recent weeks. He is fifth league-wide in tackles (39) over the last four weeks and is second on Washington with 83 tackles. His pass coverage needs work — opposing quarterbacks have a 115.3 rating throwing his way — but retaining Chinn would keep the core pieces of the improved defensive secondary intact.
Dante Fowler Jr. — That the edge rusher has followed Quinn from stop to stop probably means he stays. Then consider Fowler is one of the best bargain free-agent signings — team-highs 8 1/2 sacks and 10 tackles for loss on a $3.25 million salary — and he’s a must-retain for depth.
Tress Way — The longest-tenured Commander, standout holder and locker room glue guy is middle of the pack among punters in average net yards (42.2) but fifth in average return yards (6.9). The pros outweigh the risk of moving on, even with Way turning 35 next year.
Free, daily NFL updates direct to your inbox.
Free, daily NFL updates direct to your inbox.
Sign Up
None of those players will break the bank. The same goes for other potential keepers. Linebacker Bobby Wagner is tricky. His locker room presence is beyond obvious. He needs one more tackle to join former Washington standout London Fletcher as the only player since 2000 with at least 100 tackles in 13 or more consecutive seasons. However, Wagner, who turns 35 in June, isn’t fleet of foot, and the staff might want a faster three-down option in the middle of the defense.
There are more minor arguments for Marcus Mariota (everyone needs a backup quarterback), Noah Brown (receiver size), Igbinoghene (slot corner/depth) and Cornelius Lucas (swing tackle).
(Top photo: Chris Graythen / Getty Images)
