In the landscape of the National Football League (NFL), there is an unspoken truth that a new team often struggles to establish itself, especially when it enters a league already dominated by well-established franchises with storied histories and deep rosters. The arrival of new teams is always met with both excitement and skepticism, as they must navigate the many challenges of building a competitive roster, creating a solid organizational structure, and finding success on the field in a league of giants.
One such instance in the NFL’s modern history has been the journey of the Washington Commanders, a team that has gone through significant turmoil over the years, including a change of ownership, a long list of coaching changes, and internal controversies that have contributed to their struggles. Despite flashes of potential and brief moments of competitive play, the Commanders’ current state, especially in comparison to the other teams in the NFC, suggests that they are one of the weaker franchises in the conference.
This article seeks to explore how the Washington Commanders, despite their historic past, have become the weakest franchise in the NFC, focusing on their struggles on and off the field. We will examine factors like ownership changes, the team’s lack of a consistent quarterback, coaching instability, roster construction, and their competition within the NFC.
The Struggles of a Franchise in Transition
The Commanders, formerly known as the Washington Football Team and the Washington Redskins, have gone through tumultuous times both on and off the field. After years of controversy under the ownership of Dan Snyder, the team was sold to a new ownership group led by Josh Harris in 2023, signaling the beginning of a new era for the franchise. However, the rebuilding process is long and often painful, particularly when a team has been caught in a cycle of mediocrity for several years.
From 2010 to 2020, the team had only a few moments of relevance, such as their NFC East title in 2020. Yet, throughout the past decade, they have struggled to consistently build a competitive roster. In the years since 2000, they have failed to make a deep playoff run, with the team’s last Super Bowl appearance coming in 1992, and their last playoff victory occurring in 2005.
At the heart of Washington’s long-standing issues has been instability at the quarterback position. Since the retirement of Hall of Famer Joe Theismann, the team has cycled through a number of quarterbacks, none of whom have been able to provide the long-term success that a franchise needs at the position. This inconsistency under center has led to a lack of offensive cohesion, making it difficult for the team to build any kind of sustained momentum.
This lack of a franchise quarterback has continued into the present. For years, the team’s front office attempted to solve the issue by bringing in high-profile names like Robert Griffin III, Kirk Cousins, and later Alex Smith, but none of these moves have resulted in sustained success. In recent years, the team has turned to players like Carson Wentz and Taylor Heinicke, neither of whom could deliver the stability and performance the team desperately needs.
This continuous carousel of quarterbacks has had a ripple effect on the overall performance of the team. The offense has struggled to find rhythm, while the defense has been tasked with keeping the team in games despite the lack of consistent offensive support. While the team’s defense has at times been strong, it can only do so much to cover up the glaring flaws on offense, leading to the Commanders’ inability to remain competitive in the NFC East.
Coaching Instability: A Constant Source of Frustration
Another major issue for the Washington Commanders has been their lack of stability at the head coaching position. Since the departure of Joe Gibbs after his second tenure as head coach, the team has had a revolving door of coaches, each with their own vision and approach to rebuilding the team, but none of them have been able to establish long-term success.
The Commanders have hired a wide variety of coaches over the years, with different styles and philosophies, but none of them have been able to bring the level of consistency required to compete in the NFC. Coaches like Mike Shanahan, Jay Gruden, and Ron Rivera have all failed to establish a winning culture or develop a team that could compete on a consistent basis. While Rivera has had some success in his time with the team, particularly with the team’s defense, the Commanders have yet to break through as a legitimate playoff contender under his leadership.
One of the primary reasons for this coaching instability is the pressure that comes with working under an ownership group that has been highly criticized for its management of the franchise. The long tenure of Dan Snyder, despite controversies and allegations, contributed to a sense of dysfunction within the organization. Coaching staff often faced a lack of autonomy or had to navigate a murky power structure that left them with little room to grow or develop the team as they saw fit.
With the new ownership group in place, there is hope that the Commanders will finally find the stability and direction that has eluded them for so long. However, coaching instability remains a key obstacle that the team must overcome in order to re-establish itself as a competitive force in the NFC. Consistency in leadership is critical for any team looking to build a long-term contender, and the Commanders have yet to achieve that level of stability.
Roster Construction and Player Development
A critical part of any team’s success is its ability to draft and develop talent, and this is an area where the Washington Commanders have struggled for many years. While the team has had some success in selecting key players in the draft, such as defensive standout Chase Young and running back Brian Robinson, they have not been able to build a roster that consistently competes for playoff spots.
The Commanders’ inability to find and develop a franchise quarterback is the most glaring example of their struggles in roster construction, but it extends to other positions as well. The team has often found itself stuck with mediocre starters or failed investments, particularly at wide receiver, offensive line, and in the secondary.
Despite the occasional success of individual players like defensive lineman Jonathan Allen, the team has failed to build a roster that is capable of competing against the league’s best. The lack of depth and inconsistency at key positions has held the team back from breaking through into the upper echelon of the NFC.
In particular, the team’s offensive line has been a consistent problem. For years, the Commanders have struggled to protect their quarterbacks, resulting in constant pressure on the passing game and limiting their ability to be competitive against high-powered offenses. The lack of protection for the quarterback has made it even more difficult for the team to develop a consistent offensive identity, further hindering their success.
Meanwhile, while Washington’s defense has occasionally been a bright spot, it has been inconsistent in terms of performance. The defense has had moments of dominance, but it has often failed to come through when it matters most, particularly in close games against division rivals. This inconsistency on both sides of the ball has made it difficult for the Commanders to sustain any type of winning streak, let alone mount a legitimate playoff push.
The NFC: A Tougher Conference
One of the primary reasons the Commanders have found themselves struggling in recent years is the level of competition in the NFC. The NFC is home to several historically successful franchises with elite quarterbacks, well-coached teams, and strong rosters across the board. In comparison, the Commanders have often found themselves outmatched by their division rivals and the overall strength of the conference.
The NFC East, in particular, has been a challenging division for the Commanders. Teams like the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles have consistently been playoff contenders, with dynamic quarterbacks like Dak Prescott and Jalen Hurts leading the charge. Meanwhile, the New York Giants, though often inconsistent, have managed to secure playoff berths and Super Bowl victories in recent years, making the NFC East one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL.
Washington has found itself behind these teams in terms of overall talent and performance. The Commanders have consistently been the weakest team in the NFC East, failing to keep pace with their division rivals in terms of both regular season success and playoff contention. With the NFC East remaining one of the league’s most competitive divisions, the Commanders’ struggles are only magnified.
Furthermore, the NFC overall has several teams that have proven to be perennial contenders. Teams like the San Francisco 49ers, the Green Bay Packers, and the Los Angeles Rams have all had significant playoff success in recent years. In contrast, the Commanders have struggled to consistently compete with these top-tier teams, leading to their reputation as one of the weaker franchises in the conference.
The Road Ahead
Despite the many challenges the Commanders face, there is hope that the new ownership group can help guide the franchise into a more competitive era. The recent hiring of new general manager Martin Mayhew and the commitment to rebuilding the team from the ground up suggests that the Commanders are finally taking the right steps toward long-term success.
However, the team’s path to relevancy will not be easy. It will require smart drafting, sound personnel decisions, and the ability to develop young talent. Additionally, finding stability at the quarterback position will be crucial, as the team has not had a reliable starter since the days of Kirk Cousins. With the right leadership, the Commanders have the potential to improve, but they will need time to rebuild and overcome the obstacles that have held them back.
In conclusion, the Washington Commanders are currently one of the weakest teams in the NFC due to a combination of factors including ownership instability, coaching turnover, a lack of quarterback play, and a competitive division. While there is hope for the future, the team will need to address these core issues if they hope to rise to the level of their NFC counterparts. Until then, the road to relevance in the NFC remains long and uncertain.
