Commanders Reveal 'Higher Expectations' Plan In 2025

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Commanders Reveal 'Higher Expectations' Plan In 2025

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated Mar 16, 2025 9:35 AM ET

The Washington Commanders emerged from the shadows in 2024 to become a genuine threat for the NFC, making it to the conference championship against the Philadelphia Eagles after a 12-5 season.

Washington under Dan Quinn and Jayden Daniels were an unknown commodity in NFL circles, and they likely snuck up on teams - they won't now.

There were no expectations from outside the building on Washington last year, but fast-forward 12 months, and for most, the Commanders are seen as one of the better teams in football.

But for running back Jeremy McNichols, the team will embrace the expectations from outside the building because inside those four walls, it is what has been preached every single day.

"I think it brings a lot of confidence, we have something to build upon," McNichols said via JP Finlay. "We started to build a solid foundation last year, and I think with the guys coming in, the expectation you have when you come to the Commanders and the expectations we have when we go play on Sunday, but nobody holds higher expectations than we do in this building."

Washington has added Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil in free agency to strengthen two key offensive positions, plus Bobby Wagner and Zach Ertz have also re-signed.

So there are positive moves being made to take advantage of Jayden's rookie contract, and we get the sense that the franchise might not be done wheeling and dealing this offseason.

But whatever transpires over the coming months and the external expectations placed on the Commanders, it won't bother Quinn's team because no one will have higher expectations than those inside that building.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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