Commanders open 2025 camp with Super Bowl hopes as Jayden Daniels gets new weapons in Deebo Samuel & Laremy Tunsil. But can they overcome a stadium standoff?
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The air in Ashburn is thick with anticipation. As veterans reported to training camp today, the message was clear: after last season's shocking run to the NFC Championship, the goal is now Super Bowl or bust. The arrival of superstars Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil has ignited the fanbase and given quarterback Jayden Daniels elite weapons. But just as the on-field excitement reached a fever pitch, an off-field political firestorm erupted, threatening the very future of the team's home in the District.
'I won't make a deal for them to build a Stadium in Washington if they don't change the name back.'
The Commanders didn't just knock on the door last season; they kicked it down. Now, they've added a battering ram. The additions of All-Pro tackle Laremy Tunsil and do-it-all weapon Deebo Samuel signal a clear 'all-in' mentality from the front office. Tunsil is already being praised for his veteran leadership on a revamped offensive line that also includes first-round pick Josh Conerly Jr., while Samuel's electricity is palpable in early drills. For Jayden Daniels, coming off one of the greatest rookie QB seasons in NFL history, this is the supporting cast dreams are made of. With tight end Zach Ertz re-signed, Washington has assembled an offensive arsenal that should put the league on notice. The 'upside' analysts have been talking about all offseason is on full display.
While the team was focused on football, President Donald Trump took to social media with a stunning ultimatum: he would block any deal for a new domed stadium in D.C. unless the team reverted to its former 'Redskins' name. The threat casts a dark cloud over the franchise's long-running efforts to secure a new home. Owner Josh Harris and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell were swift in their response, both publicly reaffirming that a name change is not on the table. Still, with the 2027 NFL Draft set to be held on the National Mall and stadium negotiations at a critical juncture, this political hardball is a complication the team did not need.
For all the offensive firepower, the biggest question mark remains on defense. After a porous 2024 campaign, coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. has been given a host of new players to mold into a cohesive unit. The defensive line, now without longtime stalwart Jonathan Allen, has been completely retooled with the additions of Javon Kinlaw, Eddie Goldman, and Sheldon Day. The secondary also sees new faces in veteran Jonathan Jones and promising rookie corner Trey Amos, a second-round pick from Ole Miss. Integrating this many new pieces on one side of the ball is a monumental task, and the defense's ability to gel quickly will be paramount to the team's championship aspirations.
So begins the 2025 season: a tale of two battles. On the field, the Commanders have assembled one of the most exciting rosters in the league, a team with a legitimate window to compete for a Lombardi Trophy. Off the field, they face a political battle that could determine their home for the next generation. For the players and coaches in Ashburn, the goal is to block out the noise and focus on football. For the fans, it's a reminder that with this team, the drama never stops.
