What Did We Learn from the Commanders 0-3 Preseason?
The Commanders closed out their preseason Saturday afternoon with a 30–3 loss to the Ravens at Northwest Stadium, dropping all three of their August tune-ups. Preseason results don’t always matter, but this one was another reminder that Dan Quinn’s team has work to do before Week One. With Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota sitting out, rookie Sam Hartman got the bulk of the snaps and had a rough night, two interceptions and a lost fumble in the second quarter set the tone. Baltimore capitalized, turning one miscue into a pick-six and using a booming 61-yard field goal from Tyler Loop to put the game well out of reach. The Commanders’ offense never found rhythm, managing just a single field goal. Terry McLaurin was in attendance but remained inactive as his contract negotiations continue.
Though Week Three was forgettable, Washington did showcase encouraging flashes earlier in the preseason. Daniels impressed in his debut against Cincinnati, scoring on a 14-yard run and showing poise in the pocket. Rookie backs Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Jacory Croskey-Merritt gave the run game a lift in Week Two, piling up more than 100 yards and a score between them. With Brian Robinson Jr. dealt to the 49ers on Friday, both should see plenty of opportunities once the regular season kicks off. Tight ends John Bates and Ben Sinnott earned praise throughout camp for their blocking and physical play, a trait that will be central in Kliff Kingsbury’s offense.
If there’s one theme across the preseason, it’s discipline. Washington committed double-digit penalties in the opener against New England, allowed a kickoff return touchdown, and saw turnovers derail drives throughout the month of August. Special teams and coverage breakdowns continue to be a concern. Defensively, rookie corner Trey Amos flashed promise, but consistency across the secondary will be key when live bullets start flying in Week One.
One thing is clear coming out of August: this is Jayden Daniels’ team. His playmaking gives Washington a chance to shake off years of inconsistency on offense. Still, with McLaurin’s contract unresolved and depth thin at a couple of spots, the margin for error isn’t wide. Dan Quinn and his staff now turn to trimming the roster and tightening things up before Week One. If Daniels’ spark carries over and the mistakes get cleaned up, the Commanders can leave a winless preseason in the rearview.
