The Washington Commanders finally kick off the 2023 NFL season on Sunday. Washington hosts the Arizona Cardinals in what will be a sold-out crowd at FedEx Field.
There are many interesting storylines surrounding the Commanders in 2023. It’s the first year with Josh Harris and his group as the owners. No more Dan Snyder. There is new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. Will Bieniemy prove everyone made a mistake passing him over for head-coaching opportunities?
Buy Commanders TicketsThere’s the saga of defensive end Chase Young. Will he turn things back around? Or is he set to depart next offseason?
Is quarterback Sam Howell the answer?
As we continue our previews for the 2023 NFL season, we predict award winners for the Commanders, from team MVP to breakout star.
MVP: WR Terry McLaurin
Look at what Terry McLaurin has done with poor quarterback play over his first four seasons. We aren’t ready to say Sam Howell has arrived. But if Howell can maintain somewhere close to the level of play he displayed in the season finale vs. Dallas, he will be the best quarterback McLaurin has ever played with.
New offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy will feature McLaurin all over the formation, and he will have more opportunities for deep balls with Howell’s arm strength. The 2023 season will be his best season yet,
Offensive player of the year: QB Sam Howell
Again, we aren’t predicting 5,000 passing yards and 40 touchdowns for Howell. But, if passes for 3,500 with 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions, that would be the best quarterback play the Commanders have received since Kirk Cousins in 2017. And that would be enough to make him Washington’s offensive player of the year and give fans real hope that he’s the quarterback of the present and future.
Defensive player of the year: DE Montez Sweat
Jonathan Allen or Daron Payne would be the easy answer here. Allen remains consistently dominant, and he’s so good and consistent and good that he is often overlooked. The 2023 season will be Montez Sweat’s best year yet. Sweat will finally reach double-digit sacks, benefitting from Allen, Payne and Chase Young and cashing in on a fat new contract.
Comeback player of the year: DE Chase Young
There aren’t a lot of contenders for this award, but we feel Young deserves mention. He came back from a nasty injury and looks like his explosive self once again. Young will play at least 14 games this season and he’ll record eight sacks. It will be a positive bounce-back year for the former NFL defensive rookie of the year.
Rookie of the year: CB Emmanuel Forbes
Who else? Look, the first-round pick is always going to be the choice, right? But Forbes is a real contender for NFL defensive rookie of the year. The Commanders drafted him to make plays and turn the ball over. He’s going to do that. We don’t think Forbes leads the NFL in interceptions as a rookie, but he’ll have a few.
Most improved player: S Percy Butler
Darrick Forrest took a huge leap from his rookie season to his second season one year ago. Now, it’s Butler’s turn. The defensive coaches want him on the field and will be creative to get in packages with Kamren Curl and Forrest. Butler was good on special teams last season, and he’ll have a much larger role on defense in 2023.
Offensive lineman of the year: RG Sam Cosmi
Sam Cosmi and Saahdiq Charles could be in the mix here. Both are now full-time guards after entering the NFL as tackles. Talent, size and athleticism have never been an issue for either, but staying healthy has been. Cosmi will remain healthy in 2023, solidifying the right guard position and quietly becoming one of the NFC’s more underrated guards.
Breakout player: TE Cole Turner
Logan Thomas will likely miss some time at some point in 2023. That’s not a knock on Thomas. Last year, Cole Turner wasn’t ready; much of that was because of two separate injuries. Turner dominated the summer again, showing a nice rapport with Sam Howell. While Thomas remains Washington’s primary tight end, Turner emerges as a reliable option and will finish second on the team in touchdown receptions.
