Here are the five Commanders who are fighting for their future beyond 2023.

This season doesn’t appear to be trending towards a playoff berth for the Washington Commanders.

But, there have been some exciting moments for the fans. Washington very well could be headed for major changes in 2024. In fact, I would count on it, whether it be via the NFL Draft, free agency or in-house decisions. However, I think the outlook on this organization is much more positive than it was even just a year ago.

In order for the Commanders to progress toward being a more competitive team and contend for being a consistent playoff team, changes are needed, as I alluded to above. But, what kind of changes?

There will undoubtedly be personnel changes. Let’s take a look at some players who are fighting for their futures beyond 2023, whether it’s in Washington or not.

1. Kendall Fuller, CB

First up, we have 2024 free agent Kendall Fuller. Pretty shortly, Fuller will be 29 years old but he is having a very good season for Washington. He is one of the highest-graded cornerbacks, coverage-wise, via Pro Football Focus, on the season thus far. Per PFF, Fuller has only allowed three touchdowns on the season and is giving up an opposing quarterback rating of 89.1, which is pretty mediocre for a passer, all things considered.

On a defense that is fourth-worst in passing yards allowed right now, Fuller has been a bright spot. He might even have had a better year to this point if he had a little more help around him. The numbers don’t tell the whole story. He’s been great.

With the way the Commanders are headed and how this team could be retooling, Fuller may not return to Washington in 2023. Instead, he could be better positioned to sign with a contending team.

2. Antonio Gibson, RB

This is a pivotal year for Antonio Gibson, who has been back and forth within this Washington depth chart since being drafted in 2020. The former third-round pick has come on in recent weeks as a pass catcher and has at least five receptions in the last three games, proving he is still a functional and multifaceted running back.

The problem for Gibson, though, is that unless you are one of the best backs in all of football, you rarely get an opportunity to sign more than a one or two-year deal after your first contract. Gibson very well could be in the realm of players that signs on as a third-down type of back for another team in 2024, but won’t be a feature back for the remainder of his career.

The running back landscape has changed. That’s just the way it is. Gibson is a talented player, but mental errors and an occasional fumble have also hurt his stock over the years. He has a lot of quality physical traits, but after four years in the league, he likely has seen the most opportunity he will have had over his career.

Unless the Commanders want to bring him back and they agree to a team-friendly deal, Gibson could be auditioning for another gig in order to extend his life in the NFL next offseason.

3. Curtis Samuel, WR

Another free agent in 2024, wide receiver Curtis Samuel could be looking for his next team in the offseason. The 27-year-old has had a couple of big games throughout the 2023 season, but hasn’t been enough of a focal point to earn another multiyear deal in 2024.

So far on the year, Samuel has caught 37 passes on 49 targets for 338 yards and two touchdowns, while also adding a rushing touchdown. Still one of the more explosive and shifty players in the league, Samuel could be a great addition to a team like the Chiefs or Lions next offseason; more so a team looking for another playmaker en route to a title run.

Samuel’s stint in Washington started slow after appearing in just five games in his first year back in 2021, but last year proved he could still be a viable part of the offense. On a team with Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson, though, it doesn’t make sense for Samuel to get another contract in Washington. Instead, the Commanders could replace Samuel via the draft with a late-round flier.

4. Ron Rivera, Head Coach

One of the biggest changes Washington could make is at head coach. People have grown to love Ron Rivera over the years, and his story in regards to beating cancer is one of the better stories the league has seen over the last few seasons. But, his time should soon be up as Washington’s head coach.

Over the four seasons he’s been with Washington, Rivera has yet to end a year with a winning record. In fact, the best he’s done was that 8-8-1 record in 2022. Somehow, with a record of 7-9 in 2020, Washington made the postseason. But, they lost in the Wildcard round.

This league is an offensive league. It’s a passing-driven league, and the Commanders are passing more than anybody this season. But, they could also use more of an offensive identity at the helm. Whether or not that’s Eric Bieniemy remains to be seen, but he could also get head coaching looks elsewhere.

The Commanders might not even know who their quarterback of the future is, to be quite honest. If Rivera is let go, Washington would want to go out and find a head coach who has a clear plan in place for the quarterback position and maybe, just maybe, it won’t include Sam Howell in the immediate future.

5. Sam Howell, QB

Speaking of Howell, he rounds out our list here. On one hand, Howell is leading the league in passing yards right now with 2,783. He is third in the NFL in passing touchdowns with 17 and has tossed nine picks. Under Bieniemy, Howell has played about as good as you could possibly have asked, all things considered.

Going into this year, the Commanders didn’t know if Howell was going to be their guy. Sure, they had a lot of faith in him, but did the fans really think he’d have this type of season? I don’t think any fan would have told you Howell would be leading the league in passing over halfway through the season.

On the other hand, Howell still continues to hold the football too long and has taken a lot of sacks. He could still wind up breaking the single-season record for sacks taken. Turnovers can be a problem, and that is pretty normal for any young quarterback. But, if the Commanders have an opportunity to draft one of the top four or five quarterbacks in next year’s class, don’t underestimate that chance.

Adding competition for Howell could be a great thing. Right now, statistically speaking, Howell has been more than enough. But, when it comes to some of the mental decision-making aspects, he has a ways to go. Could he be the future? Absolutely. But, there’s also a great chance that he doesn’t end up being the guy for Washington.