NFL analyst gives bold prediction for Washington Commanders’ 2026 season that could actually come true on one condition
The Washington Commanders are looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2025 season, and Kay Adams has extremely high hopes for them, including hitting one milestone once again.
It was a nightmare of a 2025 season for the Washington Commanders, and reality hit like a ton of bricks.
This offseason was critical to improve the roster and build around QB Jayden Daniels, but also improve as a team and get back to winning. The NFL is a year-by-year league, and you have to forget about last year and push forward to chase a Super Bowl ring.
Expectations should be high once again, and one NFL analyst thinks the Washington Commanders will bounce back and reach the playoffs again.
Kay Adams says the Washington Commanders will make the playoffs in 2026
Nobody expected the Commanders to go 5-12 after coming up one game short of the Super Bowl, but that’s how the NFL works. Now, they loaded up on talent in free agency, and have six picks in the NFL Draft as well. Getting back to the playoffs is the main goal, and Kay Adams from the Up and Adams Show says they will.
“I think last year was a bit of an anomaly,” Adams said. “Some bad injury luck, some roster turnover. But I like that they’re not using those as excuses in the building. And they got away from something, so they got to get right back there. And it sounds like, you know, that’s not going to be the case this year, because they have recalibrated. With that attitude and a healthy Jayden [Daniels] and the improvements they’ve made on the roster, I’m expecting at least a playoff appearance again in 2026, and that’s like a low bar to clear. I actually expect a lot more from them.”
The Commanders have the talent to get back to the playoffs, especially when Jayden Daniels is the QB, but he has to stay healthy in 2026 for them to have a chance.
Jayden Daniels holds the keys to the Washington Commanders’ success in 2026
Daniels suffered three different injuries in 2025, which caused him to miss the majority of the season until he was officially shut down after reaggravating his elbow injury in Week 14. The success of the Commanders goes through him, and of course, there’s only so much you can do to prevent injuries in a high-contact sport.
The offensive scheme alone will help Daniels, as David Blough will have him under center and utilize the play-action passing game more than ever before. Teams knew Daniels would be in shotgun and could run downhill at him on running plays, where now, defenses will have to guess more in a less predictable offense.
The running game will balance the passing game, but Daniels also needs to be smart with his playing style. A healthy Jayden Daniels can lead to another playoff run for the Washington Commanders in 2026.