The Washington Commanders didn't expect to be sitting at 3-8 during their bye week. Nobody did, but that's just the way things have unfolded for this luckless squad in 2025.
One can point to the injuries that have held this team back, and that's a fair point. However, the reports of were accurate. And it's going to be a long road back before the Commanders are ready to challenge again.
Having such a late bye week can be a good or bad thing. For contending teams, as the Commanders were last season, it's a chance to refresh and refocus before business picks up. For those staring down the barrel of a lost campaign, like Washington this time around, it's an opportunity to reflect and improve.
Dan Quinn admits Commanders' bye week has come at the perfect time
That was the message from Quinn. He acknowledged that everyone was a little deflated after what had been a torrid first 11 games. He's also not dwelling on the past, urging his players to return eager to work after their long-awaited break from the building.
"Sometimes a bye week comes when you need a break physically. Other times it could be mentally or emotionally. And this bye week, it happens that all three lined up. Everyone is a bit depleted, and that's expected when you hit a tough spot like we do. With the team, the message that I spoke about was what's next. That's what we can still influence, and I'm expecting them to return here regenerated, energized, replenished. Not talking about where we are going to wind up, but just to focus on where we are and improving."
Dan Quinn
Quinn hit the nail on the head. It's not just the players and coaches who need a reset; the fans do too.
They harbored lofty ambitions for the campaign, and the energy has been completely sapped from them. Most are already turning their attention to the offseason, which is a pivotal one for general manager Adam Peters.
That's not the case with Quinn; he's not built that way.
His objective will be to improve and salvage something positive from the season. There are six games left, and some complex challenges await. But regardless of how things go, those in power will learn a lot more about the players before tough decisions are due in the spring.
Sometimes, a bit of time away does the world of good. Let's hope that's the case with the Commanders before attention turns to their Sunday Night Football clash with the Denver Broncos.