The NFL Season is nearly upon us. The season kicks off on Wednesday, September 9. Between now and then, we’ll be previewing all 32 NFL Teams along with playoff picks. One team will be previewed each day, beginning with the Super Bowl-winning Seahawks and ending with the New York Jets. Check back each day for the next installment!

After making the NFC Championship Game with Jayden Daniels as a rookie, the wheels came off for the Commanders in 2025. Injuries piled up, which left the team decimated on both sides of the ball. This off-season, the team moved to re-load. Will it be enough for them to return to the post-season in 2026? Let’s dive in.

Off-Season Changes

The Commanders re-made a bulk of the offense from 2025. Veteran Austin Ekeler is gone from the backfield, as is Chris Rodriguez. In the passing game, Deebo Samuel left after a solid season and returned to the 49ers. Meanwhile veteran tight end Zach Ertz, who was another injury casualty in 2025, is off the roster. Veteran center Tyler Biadasz and edge Von Miller also departed in free agency.

Meanwhile, the team re-loaded and bulked up on offense. The Commanders added veterans Rachaad White and Jerome Ford, while drafting Kaytron Allen in the backfield to pair with second year back Jacory Croskey-Merritt. In the passing game, the Commanders brought in rookie Antonio Williams. He caught 208 passes in four years for Clemson and provides a good, young option at the position.

In free agency, the Commanders also bulked up the passing game. The team added veteran tight end Chig Okonkwo from the Titans. He figures to be the starter for Daniels in the offense. The team also made a late addition of veteran receiver Stefon Diggs. Diggs went for more than 1,000 yards in 2025 for the Super Bowl-bound New England Patriots.

Fantasy Impact

It was something of a lost season for Daniels in 2025 with his own injuries and a decimated supporting cast. But he has Top 5 upside. I like him to return to QB1 form. The backfield is a quagmire. Croskey-Merritt was the leader in 2025 and could be again. But I like White to end up being the highest scoring back for the Commanders. I have him as an RB3, with Croskey-Merritt in flex range.

In the passing game, Terry McLaurin is back and should be the leader again. But Diggs and Okonkwo present an interesting option in the passing game. I like McLaurin is a WR2 and Diggs in the WR3 range. I think Okonkwo is a high-end TE2. Williams is an interesting Dynasty stash, but I don’t think he’ll have solid week-to-week value in 2026.

Prediction

The Commanders were great in 2024 and awful in 2025. I think their 2026 season falls somewhere in between. There is a world where they could win the NFC East. I also wouldn’t be surprised if they were the third team in the division again. The range of wins feels like something between seven and 11 wins. I lean more toward a nine-win season.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.