Commanders insider drops ruthless 2025 prediction fans never expected

Hopes are exceptionally high for the Washington Commanders in 2025. Fans are anticipating another deep postseason run after surging into contention immediately under head coach Dan Quinn. But that's not an opinion shared by everybody.

Specifically, one respected team insider painted a much bleaker picture for the franchise in Year 2 of Quinn's tenure.

The Commanders will have it a lot tougher this season; there's no getting away from that. They have a bigger target on their back. They have a lot of travel. They have no real routine with so many standalone and prime-time games. They have a tougher schedule, and there are some concerns about wide receiver and linebacker depth that must be factored into the equation.

With superstar quarterback Jayden Daniels under center, the Commanders should be a match for anybody. But if Washington cannot generate some early momentum, there's a chance things could unravel.

Commanders insider projects Washington to go 8-9 in Dan Quinn's second season

This was a sentiment echoed by Nicki Jhabvala from The Athletic. The leading team insider projected on The Kevin Sheehan Show that the Commanders would go 8-9. She highlighted the difficult road trips, the European game in Madrid, and the potential defensive frailties as reasons behind her pessimism.

Talk about a bubble-busting projection.

Jhabvala's concerns are legitimate. The Commanders' offseason was under the cloud of wide receiver Terry McLaurin's contract standoff. That's been lifted, but there's just no telling how long it'll take Washington's primary pass-catcher to get into genuine football shape.

The Commanders' run defense and their inability to generate pressure consistently last season also need to improve drastically. Adam Peters and Quinn are confident that the additions made this offseason can have the desired effect. If they cannot, it's not hard to envisage what comes next.

Hopes are soaring around the Commanders. Peters has gone all-in to maximize Daniels' rookie contract. There are valid doubts, especially from those who've watched the team closely this summer, but it would be an unmitigated disaster if they finished the season with a losing record.

Eight wins would have been an achievement last season in the circumstances. That's not the case anymore, especially after the Commanders raised the bar exponentially during their meteoric rise to the NFC Championship game in 2024.

Fortunately, everyone has turned the page. There is a fierce desire to go one better and topple the Philadelphia Eagles this time around. But reaching the same standards is often difficult when everyone now knows your strengths and weaknesses.

Time will tell, but the Commanders must ignore the outside noise and continue to take things one game at a time.