With immediate success comes raised expectations. That's the complex challenge facing the Washington Commanders in 2025, so it's an all-hands-on-deck situation for the ascending franchise.
Dan Quinn achieved more than anyone expected. The head coach installed a phenomenal culture that got everyone buying in. They were a close-knit group who fought for everything and almost always came through in the clutch. This must continue if the Commanders want to stand any chance of going deep into the postseason once again.
Despite the Commanders going from a top-two pick to the NFC Championship game in one year, it wasn't perfect. Most players reached their billing, but others didn't. They cannot afford to have any passengers this time around — not when Quinn's squad is among the Super Bowl favorites and officially in win-now mode.
That also goes for players who joined this offseason. There's pressure to hit the ground running and make a lasting contribution. The bar has been raised, and everyone must respond accordingly.
With this in mind, here are five Commanders players under immense pressure to rebound in 2025.
Commanders players under immense pressure to rebound in 2025
Javon Kinlaw - Commanders DL
The Washington Commanders saved their big offseason splashes for the trade market. However, general manager Adam Peters raised eyebrows around the league with his biggest financial commitment in free agency.
Javon Kinlaw wasn't expected to get anything like the three-year, $45 million deal with $30 million guaranteed he received from the Commanders. He was coming off another underwhelming campaign with the New York Jets, but Peters' trust in the defensive lineman from their time together on the San Francisco 49ers sealed the deal.
Criticism has been scathing around Kinlaw's contract. It's a boom-or-bust move that could go either way, but the Commanders are quietly confident that the former first-round pick out of South Carolina can thrive in this environment.
Expect Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. to move Kinlaw around to exploit mismatches. He'll spend time on the interior. He'll also go out on the edge if the situation dictates. He's a big body and provides more aggressiveness. Most of his good work doesn't show up on the stat sheet, so it'll be interesting to see if he can finally become the complete package under Washington's guidance.
The Commanders placed a hefty wager on Kinlaw. And after hearing all the ridicule this offseason, the lineman shouldn't be lacking in motivation to silence his increasing doubters.