The Washington Commanders are opening training camp with plenty to prove after a rough follow-up to their surprise 2024 run. For fans who like to add some stakes to the season with Virginia sports betting, this camp will answer a lot of questions before Week 1 even arrives.
A Bounce Back Season After Last Year's Stumble
Washington's 2024 season ended with a trip to the NFC Championship Game, a stunning turnaround that had the franchise feeling like a contender again. Then 2025 happened. The Commanders finished 5-12 and dropped to third in the NFC East, undone largely by an avalanche of injuries across the roster.
Quarterback Jayden Daniels missed 10 games, and receiver Terry McLaurin lost significant time as well, including a quad injury that cost him seven games. The two were only on the field together for one full game all season. The defense did not help matters either, ranking near the bottom of the league in efficiency. Washington responded by firing offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr, bringing in David Blough to run the offense with a scheme that leans more on under-center runs.
The Jayden Daniels Factor
No storyline matters more this camp than the health of Daniels. After winning Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2024, his second season was marred by a knee sprain, a hamstring strain, and a dislocated elbow that eventually ended his year early. Reports out of the spring and summer have been encouraging, with Daniels reportedly looking comfortable and back in sync with McLaurin, who battled his own contract standoff last offseason.
Still, questions linger about durability given his scrambling style, and coaches have reportedly emphasized protecting himself in the pocket rather than always trying to extend plays with his legs. If Daniels stays upright for a full season, Washington's ceiling looks a lot higher than a 5-12 finish would suggest.
Do The Offseason Moves Make A Difference?
General manager Adam Peters entered the offseason with real cap space and used it to attack the defense, which was the clear culprit in 2025. Washington signed edge rusher Odafe Oweh to a four-year deal, added linebacker Leo Chenal, safety Nick Cross, and cornerback Amik Robertson, while also bringing back Dorance Armstrong on the edge.
Offensively, the team brought in running back Rachaad White, tight end Chig Okonkwo, and re-signed receiver Treylon Burks, while also locking up left tackle Laremy Tunsil with an extension. The moves were widely seen as addressing need areas rather than making a flashy splash, and analysts have generally graded the offseason as solid given the flaws exposed last season.
Surviving A Loaded NFC East
Contending will not be easy. The Eagles remain the defending juggernaut of the division, the Cowboys always bring talent and drama, and the Giants enter a new era under John Harbaugh, the longtime Ravens coach hired in January after nearly two decades in Baltimore. Harbaugh brings a physical, disciplined culture to East Rutherford, and a new coaching staff led by coordinators Matt Nagy and Dennard Wilson.
That makes the NFC East arguably the most competitive division in football heading into 2026. Washington enters at +6000 on DraftKings to win the Super Bowl, with plus 215 odds simply to make the playoffs. Those numbers reflect a team that many view as a wildcard depending almost entirely on health. For those tracking the odds throughout camp and the preseason, keeping an eye on Virginia sports betting apps will be a good way to follow how the market shifts as Washington's roster takes shape.
