NFL news: Commanders poised for bounce-back season, Joe Theismann says
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Super Bowl champion Joe Theismann, who spent his entire career with the then-Washington Redskins, is excited for the Commanders this season despite last year’s lackluster season.
Last season, the Commanders went 5-12 after winning the NFC Championship in 2024. Theismann, 76, said the team ran out of gas last season while dealing with injuries.
“Last year there were a lot of injuries in key areas. I think the defense was very vulnerable in some areas,” Theismann told Fox News Digital in a recent interview. “As Bobby (Wagner) gets older now, obviously we’re out of gas. 17 games is a lot of football games, right? I mean, that’s a lot of wear and tear on your body. I don’t care how young you think you are, your body will tell you you’re not that young.”
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Washington Commanders’ Jayden Daniels looks on from the sidelines after leaving the game in the second half against the Minnesota Vikings at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on December 7, 2025. (Ellen Schmidt/Getty Images)
The Commanders’ defense struggled last season, giving up 26.5 points per game, good for 27th in the NFL. The team addressed its porous defense in the NFL Draft, selecting Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles 7th overall.
“Our number one pick is going to be something special going forward,” Theismann said. “I think we added some really great pieces on defense.”
Commanders invested heavily in their defense. Former Los Angeles Chargers pass rusher Odafe Oweh (four years, $100 million), former Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal (three years, $24.75 million) and former Houston Texans linebacker Tim Settle (three years, $24 million) were among the notable free agent additions.
Star wide receiver Terry McLaurin missed most of the Commanders’ offseason program due to his contract being delayed, and Theismann noted he will be an active participant in this year’s program.
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Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Sonny Styles takes a position during the 2025 Cotton Bowl quarterfinal game at AT&T Stadium on December 31, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Jerome Miron/Imagn Images)
The Commanders made a change to the offensive coordinator after mutually agreeing to part ways with Kliff Kingsbury. Commanders promoted David Blough to replace Kingsbury, and Theismann noted how the offense would be called differently.
“I think David Blough is going to call games a little bit differently than Kliff. A little bit more play action, a little bit more under center. And Jayden (Daniels) had a chance to work on that while he was out of games at the end of the season. So, he’s a little bit more up front when it comes to that as well,” Theismann said.
Injury limited Daniels to just seven games last season, giving him the opportunity to get a head start on a new system late in the season.
Theismann pointed out that while the Commanders are improving, so is the rest of the NFC East.
“The division itself has improved. The Giants have gotten better. I think the coaching change has made a difference. Jaxson Dart is coming for another year. Defensively, they haven’t really played to the talent they have,” Theismann said. “The Cowboys added defensive talent. They needed some help there. The Eagles are the Eagles; they’re not going to leave. I mean, everybody’s trying to get Jalen (Hurry) and all he does is show up and do his job and win football games.”
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Former player Joe Theismann speaks during the announcement that the Washington Football Team will be renamed the Washington Commanders at FedExField on February 2, 2022 in Landover, Maryland. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Theismann played 12 seasons in the NFL and spent his entire career with the then-Washington Redskins. He was named league MVP in 1983 and made the Pro Bowl twice.
In 1982, he led the Redskins to the Super Bowl by defeating the Miami Dolphins 27-17 in Super Bowl XVII. For his career, Theismann completed 56.7% of his passes for 25,206 yards with 160 touchdowns and 138 interceptions.
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Theismann will compete in the American Century Championship at Edgewood Golf Course in Lake Tahoe from July 10-12. The tournament will air on NBC and Peacock.
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