ESPN’s way-too-early 2026 NFL power rankings gives preview of Commanders’ make-or-break season
ESPN ranks the Commanders as the No. 20 team for the 2026 season, which is fair, but they can take a jump with a big offseason.
The Washington Commanders’ 2025 season was one to forget, but fans are looking for hope to get back on the hype train for 2026.
The offseason has already been eventful with a change at both coordinator positions, which should give the team a boost next season alone. That’s just the start for the Commanders, however, with a crucial free agency period and NFL Draft class ahead in the upcoming months. They’ll need a much more aggressive offseason to get back on the winning side, but we need to see before we believe.
ESPN’s way-too-early 2026 NFL power rankings warn Commanders fans to proceed with caution for next season, but that can quickly change.
ESPN’s 2026 NFL power ranking has the Commanders at No. 20
The Commanders finished the 2025 season with a 5-12 record and the No. 7 overall pick in the NFL Draft just one season after making it to the NFC Championship. This season was a wake-up call to how much work the roster needs, but it was also derailed by injuries. Expectations may have been reset after this past season, and ESPN has the Commanders ranked as the No. 20 in the NFL for the 2026 season.
After seeing how the recent season played out, even with the injuries, being ranked No. 20 is very reasonable for right now until we see more changes. The biggest factor, of course, will be quarterback Jayden Daniels, and if he can stay healthy and continue to develop under a new scheme with David Blough.
Daniels isn’t the only factor that will play into how the Commanders’ season plays out, however, and we will learn a lot over the next three months.
How the Commanders can succeed next season by winning in the offseason
The changes to the offensive and defensive schemes should help get the most out of the current roster, but the roster also needs fresh additions, while cutting ties with pending free agents. The Commanders have 32 free agents heading into the offseason after re-signing Tress Way, and some need to be let go for upgrades.
Instead of leaning on aging veterans like Bobby Wagner and Von Miller, the Commanders need to swing and trust some younger additions in free agency. Landing bigger names like Devin Lloyd or Trey Hendrickson would help, but they also need to find ascending talent, as they did with Tyler Biadasz and Dorance Armstrong, who can excel in the new schemes.
They also need to hit on the majority of their six draft picks, with only two being in the top-75 of the draft. Finding those hidden gems on Day Three, as they did with Bill Croskey-Merritt, will help a ton as well.
The expectations should be lower than they were last season, but a much more aggressive offseason in building around Daniels should help the Commanders take a big step forward in getting back to the playoffs.
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