Excitement around the Washington Commanders' season hasn't been this high for decades. The dark cloud of previous regimes is long gone, replaced by a vibrant new hope that stemmed from improved structure behind the scenes and a sensational run to the NFC Championship game in 2024.
Expectations have risen exponentially, which isn't surprising. This big market franchise has been in the proverbial shadows for too long. Their fans have been starved of success, so their quick rise back into the spotlight was exactly what they needed.
Building on this is the next challenge. Everyone will be gunning for the Commanders rather than treating them as an afterthought. There is a bigger target on their back, and the moves made by general manager Adam Peters this offseason took a seismic shift into win-now territory.
It's a nice problem for head coach Dan Quinn to have. He's a respected leader and is working hard to ensure complacency doesn't become an issue. There are also established pros in the locker room who've seen and done everything throughout their careers. That should be enough to keep everyone firmly focused on the task at hand.
A fascinating few months await. Before then, here are five Commanders players who will make or shatter Washington's Super Bowl dreams.
Commanders who will make or shatter Washington’s Super Bowl dream
Quan Martin - Commanders S
Letting Jeremy Chinn walk for the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency was a calculated risk by Adam Peters. It also represented supreme confidence in Quan Martin's hopes of becoming a genuine breakout star this season.
Martin is one of the very few success stories from Ron Rivera's draft picks. He flashed immense promise as a nickel cornerback as a rookie. When the Washington Commanders moved him to the safety spot, he took his influence up another notch.
The Commanders will be relying heavily on the second-round pick out of Illinois this time around. Dan Quinn has had plenty of success with defensive backs boasting Martin's athletic attributes in the past. It didn't come as a shock to see the same happen again, and all signs are pointing up before a crucial Year 3 of his professional career.
If he can raise his performance levels, it'll make a significant difference. There are concerns elsewhere in the safety unit, so the onus is on Martin to set the tone and inspire others around him.
Should Martin achieve these feats, that might be enough for Peters to give him a lucrative contract ahead of time.