Call it "recalibration" or whatever you want. Despite all the offseason messages, roster moves/improvements, and change of identity; heading into 2024, it was pretty obvious the Washington Commanders' 2024 season was going to be a bumpy ride. 

Big questions at both tackle positions and throughout most of the cornerback, receiver, and defensive end rooms are the reason why the team is going to face its fair share of struggles, this year. Unsurprisingly, they all played a part in the ugly season-opening loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

We can talk about all the negatives we want and trust me, there are plenty (I mean kicker, Cade York was cut because of his performance – that's as negative as you can get). However, there were a couple of bright spots that do provide a glimpse of hope for what this team could become, eventually, under Dan Quinn.

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Jayden Daniels can only work with what he has and he did a pretty good job against the Bucs

First and most obvious: Man, if the Commanders can add viable offensive weapons and get the offensive line up to even average, it's easy to see just how lethal Daniels and co. could be with the franchise QB at the helm.

The Bucs said after the game that they were OK with letting Daniels run as long as the passing game was contained, which it was for the most part. At the same time, however, the Bucs weren't just saying, 'Here's this wide-open rushing lane, Jayden! Take an easy 15-yards, no problem!' Daniels was able to create several of negatives into positives using his legs and he did it in dynamic fashion. 

Granted, you don't want him leading the team in carries and rushing yards each week. You don't even want that in one week. There is the game script to take into account, as the Commanders had to pass more because of the score and the fact they were behind the sticks a lot, averaging nine yards to go on third down attempts that didn't involve a penalty. They still averaged a 3rd and 9 when including those two plays and before the penalties occurred, when including all third down attempts, four of the 10 third downs were 10 yards or more, with another being a third-and-long situation.

He also had an OK day passing against a defense that is not easy to figure out, by any means, especially when the bullets are flying. It'll be fun to see what he can do as he starts get more comfortable and the game slows down, even if he doesn't have the best supporting cast around him.

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Brian Robinson should have a big year and should be in the Commanders' long-term plans

BRob had an underrated 2023 season and looked pretty damn good in the preseason, so it wasn't very surprising to see him log 89 total yards and a touchdown on 15 touches. He would've topped 100 total yards if not for a block in the back penalty on wide receiver Olamide Zacchaeus that wiped out a 21-yard reception.

"Absolutely," Quinn said after the game when asked if Robinson epitomizes what he's looking for in a player. "Man, is he tough. Seeing him come off the field and the energy he brings, I think for a lot of people they didn't know Brian was the receiver that he is, as well. I think you guys have because you've been at practice, and you've seen us utilize him in that way."

He's a tough runner that also has the ability to make guys miss. People still don't talk about his part as a receiver unless they follow the team closely, but that's likely to change after this season.

There are questions surrounding the Commanders offense, but there's little doubt the game plan will run through Robinson in 2024. Sure, Terry McLaurin is on the same side and we'll talk about him in a minute, but the group's current makeup can provide a better environment for what Robinson can do more than it can for McLaurin. With iffy pass protection, an overall lack of viable receiving targets, and Daniels' abilities on the ground, having Robinson as "the guy" makes more sense and it will lead to a big year.

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Terry McLaurin and Sam Cosmi are the experienced veterans leading the way

And last but certainly not least, it's McLaurin and Cosmi, the two best non-quarterbacks on the offensive side of the ball and two of the best players at their respective positions. 

McLaurin finished Sunday's game with two receptions for 17-yards on four targets, but again, this may not be his best year simply because of how the offense is set up. It's not excuse-making, it's simply surveying the landscape. No one is saying he's going to finish the year with 500 receiving yards or something, I just wouldn't expect him to be a week-to-week factor, this year. Regardless, he's still an integral part of the team and will only help Daniels' development, this year, and later on.

Cosmi looked like he was in Pro Bowl form on Sunday. He allowed just two pressures and no hits, at all, and was carving out lanes in the run game. That's great to see fresh off the four-year, $74 million extension he received ahead of the matchup and he's now locked up through 2028. Not only is he a very good player, but he's a leader, as well. 

"This guy's a Commander, you know, through and through," Quinn said after Cosmi's extension became official. "He's tough, he plays square and he's strong. [We're] really fortunate that he'll be an anchor inside for years to come… Having that kind of ability inside the pocket, it's a big deal.

"This an athlete that can pull and move, and in our system that's really important."

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The defense has some pieces, as well, but it's a little less clear

Daron Payne leads the way on defense, obviously, with linebacker Frankie Luvu, defensive backs Quan Martin and Mike Sainristil, and defensive end Dorance Armstrong behind him. The reason guys like Jonathan Allen, Bobby Wagner, and Jeremy Chinn weren't listed is because their contracts are less than three years. In fact, the longest-termed player is Allen and his deal only runs through 2025.

Regardless, the listed guys do provide a solid foundation for Quinn to build around on defense. Fortunately, he has a proven system that works when it has the right players – he just has to go out and find those guys.

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There are pieces, it's just going to take time to put the puzzle together

This team knows what it wants in terms of culture, identity, and personnel. That's a great start, as it can easily be different with other cases.

It's impossible to fix an entire roster in one offseason. A lot of times it takes a few offseasons. Take the Bears and Caleb Williams, for instance. The roster was a barren wasteland when Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus took over in 2022. It took them three offseasons, including a very fortunate trade that landed them the No. 1 overall pick for the second-straight year. They didn't just create it overnight.

While it was a disappointing performance, there are answers on this roster that can make the Commanders competitive in the long haul – we'll just have to ride the wave while they try and make it happen.

There are 2 obvious reasons why the Commanders lost to the Buccaneers and they’re really annoying

The Washington Commanders are 0-1 after suffering a tough loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1. As with every NFL loss, there wasn't one particular thing that derailed the season-opener – there were multiple factors that played a role in how things turned out. But there are two big reasons why the Commanders […]