The Washington Commanders are off in Week 14. At 4-9, the Commanders have lost four games in a row and six of their last seven. Washington fired defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio after a 45-10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day, and we appear to be heading into the final four games of the Ron Rivera era.
The Commanders opened the season 2-0, but it’s been downhill ever since. While there were expectations that quarterback Sam Howell would have ups and downs in his first season as the starter, everyone expected Washington’s defense would keep them in games. Instead, Howell has shown more positives than negatives, but the defense — a consensus top-10 unit in 2022 — hasn’t been able to do anything right.
The offense has shown signs of progress under offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, but even that promise has tailed off recently. Washington has struggled along the offensive line, and the receivers have taken a step back in 2023.
It would be easy to name every Washington offensive lineman as its most disappointing player, but quite frankly, there wasn’t a lot expected from the group as a whole in 2023.
With the Commanders off in Week 14, we look at seven players who have been the most disappointing for a variety of reasons.
WR Terry McLaurin
Terry McLaurin is Washington’s most beloved player. He’s beloved by fans, coaches, teammates and former Washington players. But he’s having his worst NFL season in year five. McLaurin has 60 receptions for 694 yards (11.6 YPC) and just two touchdowns. There have been questions about his separation ability in 2023. McLaurin has also had a few uncharacteristic drops.
Look, McLaurin didn’t forget how to play football. It’s been a trying season for him, and he’s clearly frustrated. Rivera has acknowledged he’s spoken with McLaurin about Bieniemy and his role in the offense. He remains the ultimate leader.
The Commanders need more from McLaurin, and he would admit that, regardless of where the blame lies for his struggles this season.
WR Jahan Dotson
Jahan Dotson was a popular pick for a breakout player. Through 13 games, he has 44 receptions for 458 yards (10.4 YPC) and four touchdowns. Dotson was known for his ability to create separation, slick route running and strong hands. All things have come into question this season. While Dotson isn’t proven like McLaurin at the NFL level, it’s not a coincidence that the two have struggled in Bieniemy’s offense.
Dotson remains a fine player and a building block for the next regime, but this has been a season to forget. What’s amazing about Dotson and McLaurin’s struggles is their lack of numbers in Washington’s high-volume passing attack.
C Nick Gates
Gates signed a three-year deal to be Washington’s starting center. This will turn out to be another one of Rivera’s failures as a top personnel guy. Gates was benched midway through the season and, barring injury, will likely never be Washington’s center again. His contract may bring him back in 2024, but it’s likely either at guard or in a reserve role. Gates is well-liked and respected, but the Commanders should’ve just rolled with Tyler Larsen and a rookie here.
DT Jonathan Allen
Jonathan Allen is annually one of Washington’s best — if not the best — players. Much like Washington’s defense as a whole, Allen has had a tough season. All of his numbers are down, and he’s not making the same type of impact each week. The Commanders need Allen and Daron Payne to dominate up front, as they have both paid elite money. But, outside of a few plays here and there, the pair just haven’t shown up consistently.
Allen, like McLaurin, is a respected leader. But, more so than McLaurin, Allen has expressed his frustration. There was the expletive-filled rant earlier in the season and then, last week, Allen admitted he thinks of playing elsewhere.
While the Commanders love Allen, it wouldn’t be a surprise if they shopped him in the offseason. Fans have long appreciated Allen, but even they’ve grown tired of his talk and recent lack of production. Allen is understandably fed up after seven seasons, while fans are fed up after 25-30 years of losing.
DT Daron Payne
Payne landed a massive deal in the offseason after a career year in 2022. His numbers are down across the board from a season ago. Is this a concern or a result of Washington’s overall defensive struggles? It’s almost certain Payne will be in Washington next season, and his contract makes him a player to build around.
It’s fair for some to wonder if Payne’s terrific 2022 campaign was because he was playing for a contract. But in fairness to Payne, he trains hard and never misses practice or the games. Washington should chalk this up to a bad season and count on Payne for 2024.
But, like Allen and McLaurin, more is expected when you have one of the bigger contracts on the team.
CB Emmanuel Forbes
The Commanders drafted Forbes No. 16 overall to be a difference-maker. It hasn’t worked out yet. It’s not fair to call Forbes a bust after one season. He hasn’t received great coaching and was put in positions he wasn’t quite ready for. It made no sense for Del Rio to have Forbes matched up one-on-one vs. A.J. Brown in Week 4. And even so, Del Rio kept him there even after his struggles.
There’s a lot to like about Forbes. After he was benched for a few weeks, he returned in Week 9 and had his best game. He has missed the last two games with an injury but is expected to return this season.
It’s fair to question if the Commanders overdrafted Forbes. But that doesn’t matter now. Forbes needs a strong finish to this season and hope Washington hires the right defensive coaches to get him on track.
CB Benjamin St-Juste
Last season, it looked like Benjamin St-Juste was on the verge of being an excellent NFL cornerback. This season, St-Juste has regressed badly. It’s clear that opposing coaches target him often. Here’s something that proves why people question Pro Football Focus.
Benjamin St-Juste: 17 forced incompletions this season
1st in the NFL pic.twitter.com/Le7bubHbRW
— PFF Commanders (@PFF_Washington) December 6, 2023
This requires context, which PFF doesn’t give. It’s easy to force incompletions when you’re targeted multiple times per game. There is a lot to like about St-Juste, but the next Washington coach needs to single out why he regressed in 2023. St-Juste’s confidence still appears fine as he often celebrates an incomplete pass, even if he had nothing to do with why it was incomplete. The same goes for Forbes.
The Commanders need to hire a strong defensive mind and have a secondary coach who can get the most out of these young and talented cornerbacks.
