The Washington Commanders needed everyone to perform above expectations to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football. Despite an encouraging first half, that didn't happen.
Dan Quinn's squad was blighted by the same problems that have seen them regress in 2025. Poor defensive communication, injuries, a lack of offensive execution in key moments, and aging legs failing to keep up all reared their ugly head once again. And fans are becoming increasingly frustrated.
The Commanders are now 3-5 with the Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions on deck. There is a very real chance they could be 3-7 before their international trio to take on the Miami Dolphins in Spain.
Quinn doesn't want the injuries to become an excuse. It's hard to see them as anything but, and this issue is no more evident than in the team's edge-rushing options.
Commanders needed more from Preston Smith, and he didn't deliver
Deatrich Wise Jr., Javontae Jean-Baptiste, and Dorance Armstrong Jr. are on the shelf with long-term complications. That left the Commanders with Jacob Martin, Von Miller, and Preston Smith in Week 8 against a Chiefs offensive line missing first-round rookie Josh Simmons and prolific right guard Trey Smith.
Considering Miller's age and his inability to be anything more than a situational piece, most fans and experts thought this would be a good time for Smith to prove that he still had something left in the tank. Unfortunately, it was clear from a long way out that this scenario wasn't going to play out.
Smith couldn't generate pressure. He failed to maintain his gap discipline against the run. He overcommitted on two plays when an opportunity to make a stop was staring him in the face. That was all the coaching staff needed to see.
The former Mississippi State standout was on the field for eight snaps before the Commanders shifted gears. Joe Whitt Jr. switched Frankie Luvu to the edge, placing Jordan Magee at the second level alongside Bobby Wagner. This was a damning indictment of Smith's influence, and things are clearly not going to plan during his second stint in Washington.
It was a nice feel-good story. However, it doesn't look like anything more will come from the decision to bring Smith back to the place where it all began.
The coaching staff doesn't trust Smith, and with good reason. His inconsistent performances since being tasked with reps on the defensive rotation are a far cry from his dominant days of years past. At the same time, Washington doesn't have anyone else capable of replacing him right now, and Adam Peters shouldn't waste draft capital on a short-term fix with Washington's season spiraling.
The Commanders made their stance on Smith crystal clear. But he isn't the only one struggling right now.