Commanders get brutal win projection from ESPN for 2026 season thanks to a few issues

1 month ago 16

The Washington Commanders have Jayden Daniels at quarterback and a few other star players across their NFL roster. But this team is still a work in progress.

Still, after making the NFC Championship Game back in 2024, there should be plenty of optimism for the Commanders this upcoming season now that Daniels is back and healthy, and the additions of Stefon Diggs and other veterans make this team better.

However, thanks in part to the offensive line concerns, ESPN recently projected that the Commanders would win just 7.3 games this upcoming season. It's a brutally low projection, but one that could come true if the warning signs for this team are real.

Commanders get 7.3-win projection for 2026 season.

"22. Washington Commanders. Chances to make the playoffs: 18.9%. Chances to win division: 9.5%. Projected wins: 7.3. Strength of schedule: Fifth hardest," ESPN shared.

Those figures from ESPN are low for a team that has been hyped up plenty this offseason. But while there is hype for Daniels' return to the team, there is reason to have some reservations about this roster.

ESPN's John Keim highlighted how the offensive line is a big concern for this team. Laremy Tunsil could miss the entire 2026 season, and that is going to be a massive loss for this team.

But it's not just the loss of Tunsil. It's the entire offensive line being in question for Washington as a reason to worry about this team's production in 2026. As Keim writes, "The offensive line needs to build cohesion -- fast -- and find stronger interior depth."

MORE: Commanders’ Jayden Daniels has ‘considerable hype’ from around NFL entering 2026 season

There is more to the low win projection for the Commanders than just the offensive line. Washington's defense might not be that great, and there could be some concerns about the running back and tight end rooms.

Plus, after missing most of the 2025 season, it's hard not to have some lingering injury concerns about Daniels this upcoming season.

The potential of this team is a lot higher than this ESPN projection, but as Commanders fans saw last season, the floor is quite low.

ESPN's 7.3 projected win total is very low, especially considering the potential of this team with a healthy Daniels.

But with the floor being one of the worst teams in the NFL if things go wrong, and with such a difficult schedule, it's unfortunately not far-fetched for Washington to be projected to win 7.3 games this season.