New Normal?

The NFL’s biggest surprise in 2024 saw the Washington Commanders finish as runners up in the NFC to their division rival Philadelphia Eagles.

On the latest episode of “Inside The Birds,” Adam Caplan and Geoff Mosher recapped the Commanders’ splashes this offseason as they look to make another playoff run. 

GETTY IMAGES: The Washington Commanders made a big-time acquisition on the offensive line with the trade for Laremy Tunsil.

Laremy Tunsil

Adam Caplan: “They made a decision at the end of last season that Brandon Coleman would no longer be there left tackle…Some people around the league don’t think Tunsil is coming off an elite year, he’s still a top five left tackle.”

Geoff Mosher: “Think about what the Washington has looked like before it overachieved last year. It was always the achilles heel, and to think in year two of Jayden Daniels you can have Laremy Tunsil at tackle.”

Deebo Samuel

Mosher: “It’s impossible for us to sit here and predict whether he is going to bounce back and be really good. The thing we can say is Kliff Kingbsury will have a really good plan for him…He definitely gives them a little bit more of a juice as long as he is healthy and in shape.”

Caplan: “Some people believe that Deebo Samuel has lost a step. I’m not so sure about that…Kingsbury does a phenomenal job of manufacturing offense.”

Defensive Line

Mosher: “I don’t love Javon Kinlaw as a player, I think they overpaid but I like the depth that they’re giving themselves. When you put him with (Johnny) Newton and Da’Ron Payne, that’s good depth right there.”

Caplan: “They signed Eddie Goldman. Their defense is very deep. The one argument is who are your blue-chip players? Payne is a good player, I wouldn’t put him as a blue-chip player. Kinlaw had a good year, it’s his first really good year in his career, and he got paid. Deatrich Wise comes over from New England, it was a nice signing. Clelin Ferrell has morphed into a nice player, Sheldon Day has been around a long time, Jalyn Holmes can play inside or outside. This is a super deep group, but what they don’t have is an a-level pass rusher.”

Secondary

Caplan: “The big story is how deep they are in the secondary. (Mike) Sainristil, most people around the league thought it would not work for him to play outside corner full-time and they have to eventually move him to nickel. Based on what they have done this offseason, it sure sounds like they are going to keep him outside with Marshon Lattimore. Noah Igbinoghene really came into his own playing nickel, Jonathan Jones comes over in the twilight of his career. They just don’t have the depth at outside corner.”

– Benjamin Paul is a staff writer for InsideTheBirds.com.