The Washington Commanders are ready to get back on track in 2026 and the team has made plenty of moves over the offseason to help make that happen.

Now, the key players have to step it up for everything to come full-circle and there are several guys on offense who need to do just that for both team and personal reasons. Whether it’s to develop their own skill set, position themselves for a new contract, or simply for team success purposes.

There’s no debate: They have to take things to the next level.

So, with all that being said, let’s dive in.

Five Commanders players who have to have a good year on offense

1. QB Jayden Daniels

As always, everything starts and ends with Daniels. You can’t really judge his 2025 season because he missed most of it due to injury, but he still has to prove he can return to the form that made him so electric in 2024. That’s simply because he’s going to have to carry this offense once again.

The Commanders still have big question marks at wide receiver. The running back room is solid but lacks a clear-cut explosive playmaker. So the big plays are going to come from Daniels, and while that’s a given, it’s still the truth. He has to pick up offensive coordinator David Blough’s system quickly and help his teammates learn it, too. If Daniels is on point, this offense has a chance. If he’s not, Washington is in trouble.

2. WR Terry McLaurin

Year 1 of McLaurin’s big contract extension did not go how anyone wanted it to go. The hope is Pro Bowler can stay healthy in his age-31 season after missing significant time in 2025. Sure, McLaurin has avoided injury for the vast majority of his career (something he highlighted last offseason), but there’s reason to wonder if there’s more to come due to his age.

The counter to that is McLaurin had one of his most efficient seasons when he was actually on the field. It’s kind of crazy to think about, but he averaged a career-best 2.22 yards per route run, which was better than guys named Justin Jefferson, A.J. Brown, Chris Olave, Devante Adams, Alec Pierce, and plenty others.

Regardless, the biggest reason McLaurin needs to play well revolves around team success. This passing attack goes nowhere without him. A big reason Daniels looked so electric in 2024 was because McLaurin put together a top-10 season at his respective position.

When healthy and on his game, McLaurin is arguably the most underrated receiver in the NFL. He’s one of the best deep threats in the game, catches contested balls at a high clip, can make big plays after the catch, and can win at both the short and intermediate levels of the field. He just hasn’t received the credit he deserves because he spent most of his career on bad Washington teams.

3. G Brandon Coleman

Coleman is expected to compete with Chris Paul for the starting guard spot opposite Sam Cosmi. He’s bounced around over his first couple of years and dealt with some injuries, but the coaching staff consistently talks about his athleticism and ability to play all five offensive line positions.

This year, they want to settle him in at guard, giving him a real chance to hold down a starting job for the foreseeable future. Paul had a solid 2025 season, but the Commanders only signed him to a one-year, $3 million deal. They aren’t committed to him long-term and that adds another layer to Coleman’s opportunity.

If he wins the job because he was genuinely the better player, it should be a boon for the left side of the offensive line next to Laremy Tunsil. If not, the hope is Paul returns to his 2025 level of play and Coleman is a good depth option.

Either way, this is Coleman’s time to shine.

4. TE Chigoziem Okonkwo

Okonkwo’s on here strictly for team-success reasons. He’s significant because the Commanders don’t have a clear-cut No. 2 at wide receiver. Okonkwo could become the passing attack’s second option, and that kind of value matters. He’s going to bring something Zach Ertz could never provide at this stage of his career: a downfield seam threat with explosive playmaking ability.

And so far, reports are he’s looked the part during OTAs and minicamp.

You could argue Okonkwo underperformed in Tennessee, but if you look at the quarterbacks he had there, none of them compare to Daniels. David Blough’s system should also benefit tight ends. While Okonkwo has his issues as a run blocker, a strong 2026 season would help elevate Daniels and take some pressure off McLaurin.

5. C Nick Allegretti

Allegretti is the current frontrunner to win the starting center job over rookie Matt Gulbin, a sixth-round draft pick. It makes sense. He’s a veteran who has played center at points during his career and brings the kind of experience this offensive line needs.

It’s easy: If Allegretti wins the job, he has to play well. As any offensive line coach will tell you, a front five is only as good as its weakest link. One struggling player can seriously hamper the other four.

The center-quarterback relationship is also one of the most underrated dynamics in the NFL, and Allegretti will need to effectively communicate what defenses are showing and relay that information to Daniels. With more under-center concepts and a heavier verbal load in this offense, whatever Allegretti has to do from a mental and physical standpoint, he has to deliver.

Honorable mention: WR Antonio Williams