Tomorrow, the Washington Commanders open the 2024 preseason against the New York Jets.
In an ordinary season, fans would do what they typically do: They would overreact to every play made by a free agent or rookie, most of whom will be playing against guys who will have jobs other than playing in the NFL. But this isn’t an ordinary season.
The Commanders have the trifecta of hope.
A new ownership group. A new coach. A new quarterback.
That’s a lot to be excited about if you’re a fan of a once-proud organization that Daniel Snyder dragged down the drain.
Washington is looking to assemble a team on the right path by the time the Josh Harris ownership group strikes a deal for a new stadium. Harris is a new owner in Washington but not a new owner in the sports world. Harris’ ownership group also owns the New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia 76ers.
The Commanders have a coach in Dan Quinn, who was a second-half meltdown away from being a Super Bowl champion coach. Quinn’s record in Atlanta was 43-42, with a 3-2 record in the playoffs. Quinn and the Falcons parted ways after an 0-5 start in 2020. Quinn landed in Dallas as the defensive coordinator for the next three seasons before getting the Washington head coaching job.
Then there’s what excites fans the most: a new quarterback.
Jayden Daniels is the latest quarterback savior and head-and-shoulders, with the most natural ability since Robert Griffin III. Daniels started at Arizona State before landing at LSU. In his two seasons in Baton Rouge, Daniels completed 70.2% of his passes, 57 touchdowns, and only seven interceptions.
The changes have Commanders’ fans as excited as they’ve been in years.
Snyder’s antics had sucked the energy out of the DMV’s football fans. It undermined a once proud organization, but tomorrow is a new day for a fanbase starving to love their football team again.
