True, it's threading the needle for sure. But the one-season turnaround can be done with the correct vision and leadership. Remember, DC went 4-13 last year and was 31st in offensive DVOA.
The Commanders turned over a ton of players on the offensive side over 2 years. In 2022, their starting offense looked like so:
WR Terry McLaurin
LT Charles Leno Jr.
LG Andrew Norwell
C Chase Roullier
RG Trai Turner
RT Sam Cosmi
TE Logan Thomas
WR Curtis Samuel
WR Jahan Dotson
QB Carson Wentz
RB Antonio Gibson
They finished in the bottom 3rd offensively, 20th in yards, 24th in points. They thought they were good at rushing (4th in attempts), but 12th in yards and 29th in rushing TDs belied this. In 2023, they turned over 6 positions, including QB:
WR Terry McLaurin
LT Charles Leno Jr.
* LG Saahdiq Charles - on the team in 2022, slotted behind Trai Turner.
* C Nick Gates - FA, 3 yrs/16M, cut by new management in 2024
* RG Sam Cosmi - moved from RT
* RT Andrew Wylie - FA, 3 yrs/23M
TE Logan Thomas
WR Curtis Samuel
WR Jahan Dotson
* QB Sam Howell - on the team in 2022, beat out Jacoby Brissett for starting role
RB Brian Robinson Jr.
In 2024, they turned over 7 of 11 players, with only one player moving up the bench:
WR Terry McLaurin
* LT Brandon Coleman - draft R3 (67)
* LG Nick Allegretti - FA 3 yrs/16M
* C Tyler Biadasz - FA 3 yrs/30M
RG Sam Cosmi
RT Andrew Wylie
* TE Zach Ertz - FA 1 yr/1M
* WR Dyami Brown - on the team in 2023, but slotted behind McLaurin on their depth chart.
* WR Olamide Zaccheaus - FA 1 yr/1M
* QB Jayden Daniels - draft R1 (2)
RB Brian Robinson Jr.
So indeed, an entire unit turnaround can happen in just two years. For 2025, McLaurin will be in his last season, and likely looking for an extension. Brown and Zaccheaus will be free agents. The Commanders will have nearly as much in cap money as the Pats (over $100M), so I expect they will be a huge suitor for Tee Higgins. If you were Higgins and had the choice, would you go to DC or NE?