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Monday, Oct 27, 2025
Outside the box.
Commanders’ 3-4 Start Reflects Injury Toll, Defensive Breakdown and Lost Edge From 2024
Washington’s promising season run hits turbulence as coach Dan Quinn acknowledges shock at team’s drop-off and outlines urgency ahead of clash with Kansas City
Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn admitted his surprise at his team’s position after a 44-22 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, which dropped the squad to 3-4 and raised serious questions about their follow-through on last year’s 12-5 success.
“Yes, very,” Quinn said when asked if he was surprised by the state of the team.
The decline has multiple clear roots: a raft of injuries that has sidelined key contributors such as running back Austin Ekeler, defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr., safety Will Harris, and wide receiver Noah Brown.
The depth of the losses has disrupted both sides of the ball and limited continuity.
Yet Quinn was emphatic that injuries are not the reason for the losses.
“Injuries are not the reason we lost,” he stated.
Despite this, the measurable impact is substantial: the defence, which in 2024 ranked 18th in points allowed and 13th in yards allowed, has slipped further to 21st and 27th respectively this season and has only forced three turnovers—tied for 29th in the league.
The issues extend from personnel to execution: Washington has permitted the second-most plays gaining at least fifteen yards and ranks 28th in yards after first contact.
Players such as Jeremy Reaves and Bobby Wagner have been forthright about the gap between expectations and reality.
“I understand what winning looks like now,” Reaves said.
On the offensive side, the absence of continuity has hurt chemistry—quarterback Jayden Daniels has missed multiple games and receiver Terry McLaurin has played only part of the season.
Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury pointed to the lack of a full opening-day lineup as a key contributor.
As the Commanders prepare to face the Kansas City Chiefs next, they do so with ten games remaining and the rank of being underdogs once again.
But there remains belief in the locker room.
Veteran punter Tress Way noted Quinn’s blunt post-game message after Dallas: “The standard we set last year is the standard you’ve got to hold to.” Reaves added: “With this group of dudes, nobody likes losing.
...
We’re going to find our way out of it.”
The challenge now is translating that resolve into performance—both sides of the ball must tighten, the coaching adjustments must yield impact, and the team must begin climbing a slippery slope if they intend to match last season’s heights before it slips away.
“Yes, very,” Quinn said when asked if he was surprised by the state of the team.
The decline has multiple clear roots: a raft of injuries that has sidelined key contributors such as running back Austin Ekeler, defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr., safety Will Harris, and wide receiver Noah Brown.
The depth of the losses has disrupted both sides of the ball and limited continuity.
Yet Quinn was emphatic that injuries are not the reason for the losses.
“Injuries are not the reason we lost,” he stated.
Despite this, the measurable impact is substantial: the defence, which in 2024 ranked 18th in points allowed and 13th in yards allowed, has slipped further to 21st and 27th respectively this season and has only forced three turnovers—tied for 29th in the league.
The issues extend from personnel to execution: Washington has permitted the second-most plays gaining at least fifteen yards and ranks 28th in yards after first contact.
Players such as Jeremy Reaves and Bobby Wagner have been forthright about the gap between expectations and reality.
“I understand what winning looks like now,” Reaves said.
On the offensive side, the absence of continuity has hurt chemistry—quarterback Jayden Daniels has missed multiple games and receiver Terry McLaurin has played only part of the season.
Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury pointed to the lack of a full opening-day lineup as a key contributor.
As the Commanders prepare to face the Kansas City Chiefs next, they do so with ten games remaining and the rank of being underdogs once again.
But there remains belief in the locker room.
Veteran punter Tress Way noted Quinn’s blunt post-game message after Dallas: “The standard we set last year is the standard you’ve got to hold to.” Reaves added: “With this group of dudes, nobody likes losing.
...
We’re going to find our way out of it.”
The challenge now is translating that resolve into performance—both sides of the ball must tighten, the coaching adjustments must yield impact, and the team must begin climbing a slippery slope if they intend to match last season’s heights before it slips away.
