Overview
- The team enters Week 1 expecting Jayden Daniels to be fully healthy and to lead a rebound after an injury-plagued 2025 season that limited him to seven starts.
- Laremy Tunsil suffered a torn triceps that requires surgery and could cost him the season, forcing Brandon Coleman into the left tackle role and leaving questions at center and backup options such as Nick Allegretti and rookie Matt Gulbin.
- Pro Football Focus warned the offensive line could 'really struggle' without Tunsil and joint-practice reports and evaluator checks have amplified concerns about protection for Daniels.
- Outside evaluations are mixed to negative, with a survey of NFL executives placing Washington near the bottom of the NFC and some analysts calling the offseason depth-building inadequate, even as the front office added veterans.
- The Commanders point to reasons for guarded optimism — additions like Stefon Diggs and Rachaad White on offense, and new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones plus edge and linebacker reinforcements — but the line's health will likely decide how those upgrades translate to wins.