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'No Hangover Fear' For Commanders In 2025?

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated Apr 30, 2025 7:46 AM ET

The Washington Commanders were the surprise packets of last season, winning 12 regular-season games and making the NFC title game.

Teams didn't know they were coming last season - they do now.

With an offseason highlighted by the trades for Laremy Tunsil and Deebo Samuel, the Commanders are clearly in win-now mode with Jayden Daniels still on his rookie deal.

So it is swing for the fences time.

But as we have seen, success in the league isn't linear, and one good year doesn't mean the following season will see the same results, and a drop-off could happen.

However, Pro Football Network's Kyle Soppe doesn't see that happening under Dan Quinn's watchful eye.

"I don’t think there’s a hangover to fear," Soppe writes. "This success-starved organization is well aware of the position they are in, and with them seemingly holding the QB advantage in at least 11 games entering this season, I expect them to have their foot on the gas from the get-go."

There is hope that the Commanders can build on what they accomplished last season, and with the additions of Deebo and Tunsil, the offense looks better on paper.

Defensively, the drafting of Trey Amos will hopefully solidify the secondary, and in Year 2 for Joe Whitt Jr, the defense can make some strides.

It will be interesting to see if the Commanders can continue their rapid rise in Daniels' second season, with defenses now having a full offseason to study his tendencies and what he does and doesn't like.

So yes, Year 1 was great, and while some don't have any fears about a regression in Year 2, there's every chance that Washington, while still being a good team, might not have the same success as it did a year ago.

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

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