The Washington Commanders are one win away from being the NFC’s representative in the Super Bowl.
With new faces taking over key spots in the Commanders organization (ownership, general manager, head coach) and a rookie quarterback who is talented, oblivious to pressure, and incredibly clutch, the team is now on the doorstep of advancing to the championship game.
A 4-13 team last year, the Commanders turnaround can’t help but inspire other teams to believe they can do the same.
The Patriots included.
They were a 4-13 team this past season, wiped out most of the coaching staff following the season, and, like the Commanders, have a franchise quarterback who could spark a similar reversal if Mike Vrabel and the Patriots play their cards right.
Drake Maye was drafted one spot behind Jayden Daniels, the Commanders choice with the second overall pick.
At 22, Maye is two years younger than Washington’s star quarterback. He didn’t have anywhere near the experience Daniels had in college (55 starts for Daniels vs. 26 for Maye) heading into his rookie season, so theoretically, he could get to the level of the Commanders quarterback, or perhaps beyond, in due time.
The trouble is, it’s not that simple.
Even with Vrabel taking over, Josh McDaniels handling the offense, and newfound optimism energizing the fan base, there’s still plenty that needs to happen to get Maye and the Patriots from Point A to Point B.
The Commanders model wasn’t just about selecting Daniels ahead of Maye in the draft.
Along with the talent already on the roster, GM Adam Peters made some incredibly shrewd moves to fortify the roster, and build around his young quarterback. The Commanders entered free agency with the most cap space and Peters used it.
But first, he weeded out anyone who didn’t fit with the program he was trying to build (Jahan Dotson, Jamin Davis, Emmanuel Forbes Jr). Then, he brought aboard the right mix of veterans on both sides of the ball to supplement the youth, and support Daniels.
On the defensive side, Peters signed defensive end Dorance Armstrong, linebackers Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu, edge rusher Dante Fowler, and traded for cornerback Marshon Lattimore. While that unit isn’t the strength of the team, it’s been good enough for the Commanders to make an unexpected splash in the postseason.
Offensively, Peters signed center Tyler Biadasz, guard Nick Allegretti, running back Austin Ekeler, tight end Zach Ertz, and wide receiver Jamison Crowder.
These players aren’t superstars, per se, but they’ve proven to be good additions to the overall makeup of the team. They’ve complemented the talent the Commanders already had on the roster.
“I don’t think it’s nothing that the Commanders sprinkled in veteran guys,” former NFL quarterback Matt Hasselbeck opined during the latest ‘Eye on Foxborough’ podcast. “Zach Ertz, at tight end, Bobby Wagner, the middle linebacker, they’ve been there, done that.”
In other words, they’ve won Super Bowls.
With the players he targeted and signed, Peters made sure to fortify the trenches on both sides of the ball. The good news? That’s been a trademark of Vrabel. He’s been a big believer in building teams from the trenches on out.
So whoever is calling the shots for the Patriots with personnel, be it Vrabel, Eliot Wolf, or Ryan Cowden, they need to be as good as the Commanders when it comes to evaluating the right players to add to the mix.
Along with the quarterback, that’s the ticket to a transformation. Hasselbeck, who makes a weekly appearance on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” agreed.
“You can have a great franchise quarterback, but finding those glue guys, those veteran leaders in your locker room, it’s equally important,” Hasselbeck said.
Daniels has been crazy good during games. He’s been the Commanders tone-setter and leader. Off the field, he hasn’t had to assume that mantle, and that’s helped his cause. He’s been able to rely on others.
“There are other people carrying the water in terms of leadership. I think it’s a pretty good lesson to learn,” Hasselbeck said. “I’m a huge believer in Drake Maye, even coming out. I thought Drake could have been the first pick overall. Him or Jayden … his upside is right there with (Daniels).”
Like the Commanders, who brought in an experienced coach in Dan Quinn, and a proven offensive mind in Kliff Kingsbury, the Patriots did the same with Vrabel and Josh McDaniels. Like Kingsbury did with Daniels, McDaniels needs to bring out the best in Maye.
Unlike Daniels, who has Terry McLaurin, Maye doesn’t have a star receiver of his caliber. That’s a must on the Patriots to-do list. As for Vrabel, he has to build the kind of culture that promotes winning.
“Winners come in all shapes and sizes. We’re going to have leaders. Leaders are going to identify themselves,” Vrabel said during his introductory press conference. “The leaders are going to be the ones that define the culture. The culture will be what drives and gives you the results that we’re all after.”
Vrabel said it was up to him and the staff to figure out who the right players are, and where those players fit best.
“Maybe they’re the best ones and the right ones,” he said. “That would be wonderful.”
It sure worked for the Commanders.
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