5 Commanders who will make or shatter Washington’s 2025 Super Bowl dream

Excitement around the Washington Commanders' season hasn't been this high for decades. The dark cloud of previous regimes is long gone, replaced by a vibrant new hope that stemmed from improved structure behind the scenes and a sensational run to the NFC Championship game in 2024.

Expectations have risen exponentially, which isn't surprising. This big market franchise has been in the proverbial shadows for too long. Their fans have been starved of success, so their quick rise back into the spotlight was exactly what they needed.

Building on this is the next challenge. Everyone will be gunning for the Commanders rather than treating them as an afterthought. There is a bigger target on their back, and the moves made by general manager Adam Peters this offseason took a seismic shift into win-now territory.

It's a nice problem for head coach Dan Quinn to have. He's a respected leader and is working hard to ensure complacency doesn't become an issue. There are also established pros in the locker room who've seen and done everything throughout their careers. That should be enough to keep everyone firmly focused on the task at hand.

A fascinating few months await. Before then, here are five Commanders players who will make or shatter Washington's Super Bowl dreams.

Commanders who will make or shatter Washington’s Super Bowl dream

Quan Martin - Commanders S

Letting Jeremy Chinn walk for the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency was a calculated risk by Adam Peters. It also represented supreme confidence in Quan Martin's hopes of becoming a genuine breakout star this season.

Martin is one of the very few success stories from Ron Rivera's draft picks. He flashed immense promise as a nickel cornerback as a rookie. When the Washington Commanders moved him to the safety spot, he took his influence up another notch.

The Commanders will be relying heavily on the second-round pick out of Illinois this time around. Dan Quinn has had plenty of success with defensive backs boasting Martin's athletic attributes in the past. It didn't come as a shock to see the same happen again, and all signs are pointing up before a crucial Year 3 of his professional career.

If he can raise his performance levels, it'll make a significant difference. There are concerns elsewhere in the safety unit, so the onus is on Martin to set the tone and inspire others around him.

Should Martin achieve these feats, that might be enough for Peters to give him a lucrative contract ahead of time.

Marshon Lattimore - Commanders CB

When the Washington Commanders traded for four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore before the 2024 deadline, it was the first sign that they legitimately meant business. Adam Peters was more interested in stockpiling draft picks before the move, so it represented a major statement of intent.

The Commanders didn't get much return from their investment immediately. Lattimore came into the franchise with a hamstring injury that he couldn't ever shake off. Although the first-round pick out of Ohio State tried valiantly to assist during Washington's playoff run, the explosiveness and fluidity just weren't where they needed to be.

Lattimore was heavily (and unfairly) criticized. Things look a lot different now as the defensive back looks to silence his doubters.

A long offseason to recover was exactly what Lattimore needed. He showed up to summer workouts looking sharp, dynamic, and back to his old self. He's also heard all the criticism and wants to remind the world why he was considered among the league's most accomplished shutdown coverage presences once upon a time.

The Commanders' cornerback room could become a huge strength this season if everyone gets a clear run of luck on the health front. Lattimore holds the key for good or bad, and the pressure is on to repay Peters' faith.

Laremy Tunsil - Commanders OT

Although the Commanders reached the final four last season, something prevented them from getting over the hump. The trenches on both sides of the football were overwhelmed by the Philadelphia Eagles. That didn't go unnoticed by general manager Adam Peters.

The biggest splash made by Peters was pulling off a bombshell trade for five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil. This could be a game-changer in no uncertain terms, and he's easily the best blindside enforcer Washington has had since trading Trent Williams to the San Francisco 49ers.

Tunsil is an elite pass protector. There were too many penalties conceded last season, but he's still among the league's best. And based on the positive impression made at training camp, it's not hard to see why.

The Commanders took extreme caution with several of their veterans this summer. Tunsil didn't play in the preseason, but his display of dominance during joint practice with the New England Patriots provided a small glimpse of what he will bring to the table.

Although Tunsil has been relatively durable throughout his career, he's also 31 years old with a lot of football under his belt. Tackles tend to perform well later in their careers, and the Commanders placed a big wager on their new marquee addition doing the same.

Daron Payne - Commanders DT

The Washington Commanders parted ways with long-time veteran Jonathan Allen this offseason. It was always the most likely scenario once the production no longer matched the paycheck. As others surged, the defensive tackle lacked motivation after experiencing almost nothing but misery under the previous regime.

Allen was released after no willing trade suitor came forward, eventually signing for the Minnesota Vikings. Looking at how things have unfolded over the team's preparations for the new campaign, nobody stands to benefit more than Daron Payne.

Dan Quinn and others have lauded Payne for his improved focus and emerging leadership this offseason. He's eager to step out of Allen's shadow and spearhead Washington's defensive line. He's also taken it upon himself to get more vocal, which wasn't always his strength with an alpha already in the room.

There is a lot at stake for Payne in 2025. He's the team's biggest salary-cap hit at $26.17 million. If he wants to see out the final year of his deal in 2026, or potentially get another financial commitment from the Commanders, his consistency and game-wrecking credentials must return to the fore.

Anything less comes with grave consequences attached for Payne. But it's starting to look like a profitable campaign could be in the offing.

Deebo Samuel Sr. - Commanders WR

The San Francisco 49ers couldn't wait to get rid of wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. this offseason. Those in power decided that he was becoming a distraction, wasn't taking his football seriously, and was regressing from a production standpoint. The player agreed, declaring that a fresh start would be the best possible solution for all parties.

Just when it looked like the Niners might be forced to release Samuel, the Commanders sent a fifth-round pick to the NFC West club to secure his services. Adam Peters knows what the All-Pro can do when healthy and motivated, and it cost Washington almost nothing to see if there was still something left in the tank.

Samuel worked exceptionally hard over the offseason to get himself in shape. He was heavily criticized by analysts and former pros for his weight, which gave him some extra motivation to reignite the spark. He's been nothing short of sensational all summer, so the Commanders stand to benefit greatly if this continues into the regular season.

The South Carolina product has a lot on the line. This is a contract year for Samuel. It's also his second chance. He might not get a third if regression continues.

That's something Samuel is striving to avoid. And he looks more than capable of making a big difference within Kliff Kingsbury's schematic concepts.

More Commanders news and analysis