There is more hype around the Washington Commanders than ever this season. The team's incredible run to the NFC Championship game last time out completely shifted the landscape. Adam Peters' aggressive offseason only surged expectations in Year 2 for head coach Dan Quinn.
It's been a solid start for the Commanders. They've had to navigate some troubling injury problems, but their win over the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 5 was proof of how dominant they can be. With several established stars set to make their returns imminently, all signs are pointing up heading into a tough stretch of games.
This doesn't happen without a collective effort. There is immense resolve in the locker room, which has been needed to keep things trending positively amid the upheaval. Some will obviously generate more hype and column inches than others, but those flying under the radar also deserve some recognition for their outstanding efforts to date.
With this in mind, we picked out seven Commanders' quiet heroes who are proving that heart doesn't need headlines through five weeks of the 2025 season.
Commanders quiet heroes proving heart doesn’t need headlines
Dorance Armstrong Jr. - Commanders DE
The Commanders' defensive front has been a revelation so far this season. Most analysts and fans thought this could become a weak link, particularly in terms of their ability to generate pressure.
Adam Peters was always confident in the options available or those recently acquired. That wasn't an opinion shared by fans, but any concerns have been alleviated emphatically after a dominant start to the 2025 campaign.
And for Dorance Armstrong Jr., he's in the midst of a genuine breakout that nobody saw coming.
Armstrong came to the Commanders last season, following Dan Quinn from the Dallas Cowboys. He was solid, but the next stage in his development was turning his explosive pass-rushing into more productivity when opportunities arose.
He's well on course to achieve this objective. Armstrong has quietly notched five sacks so far this season, ranking joint-second around the NFL. You wouldn't know it with so much hype going to others, but the former Kansas prospect is quickly becoming a significant threat that teams have to take seriously.
These are Pro Bowl-caliber numbers. Quinn believed Armstrong had what it took to become a legitimate No. 1 defensive end. After taking time to make the transition into a starting role, the light has finally come on.
And make no mistake, it's benefiting the Commanders greatly.