Commanders can do something in 2026 that they haven't done in years

The Washington Commanders revealed their 2026 schedule on Thursday, and to say the first half is daunting would be an understatement. Washington opens with two consecutive NFC East games on the road at Dallas and Philadelphia, before returning home to face the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seawhawks.

In the NFL, every game is important. After all, there are only 17 games. But teams place particular emphasis on conference games, especially divisional games. For the better part of this century, the Commanders have struggled to win the NFC East. Since the year 2000, Washington has won the NFC East three times: 2012, 2015 and 2020. In 2020, it won the NFC East with a 7-9 record.

When Adam Peters and Dan Quinn took over as general manager and head coach, respectively, in 2024, they promised a culture change. Nothing helps a culture change more than winning. In 2024, the Commanders went 12-5 and advanced to the NFC Championship Game. Washington went 4-2 in the division that year.

Last season, the Commanders finished with a dreadful 5-12 record, but three of those five wins came against NFC East foes.

If Washington is going to turn things back around in 2026, these NFC East games are critical. Not only would it be a statement for the Commanders to win one of their first two games on the road, but it would also set them up in a good position for the remainder of the season.

Washington has a chance to make some history if it wins at least three NFC East games in 2026. Via the Commanders, if they win three divisional games next season, it would be the first time since 1999-2001 that they've won at least three NFC East games in three consecutive seasons.

That's progress.

For most teams, that's nothing. But for the Commanders, it is a big deal and proof that Peters and Quinn are slowly turning the corner. It also helps to have a franchise quarterback.