PHILADELPHIA — Adam Peters’ unhurried stride explained so much.
The Washington Commanders’ general manager exited the visiting locker room and turned inside the belly of the stadium known as Lincoln Financial Field. He began the solo walk to another room steps away occupied by team staffers. He didn’t get there before further slowing his gait and raising his right hand to massage the back of his neck. The moment felt contemplative, but his aches lay elsewhere.
The three-time Super Bowl-winning franchise was once considered the NFL’s model for excellence, only to become a black eye for the NFL and a multi-decade of on- and off-the-field embarrassment for the Washington area. That’s why quick fixes weren’t the expectation when Peters and Dan Quinn arrived last January, even if the general manager and head coach hustled from the jump.
They determined best practices to overhaul an inherited and deficient roster, fix an inadequate culture and find people who shared their vision of brick-by-brick rebuilding. One year later, it’s clear they did much more than that, even if Peters’ walk didn’t feel victorious.
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Commanders’ magical season ends, but the foundation for future success is in place
The Commanders’ improbable season ended with an unceremonious 55-23 defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game. Peters and members of the ownership group thanked the players for a great season as they headed to the team bus. Washington’s locker room mood reflected the disappointment of four turnovers, the lopsided final score, allowing seven rushing touchdowns and the season’s conclusion.
“This is as rough as it gets,” wide receiver Terry McLaurin said.
“This s— sucks,” said rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, understandably dropping his normal relaxed demeanor. “Excuse my language. We believed we belonged here.”
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and running back Saquon Barkley each scored three rushing touchdowns. Philadelphia had 459 yards offensively and consistently pressured Daniels defensively. Though bruised by the result, McLaurin and others tried balancing competitive disappointment with appreciation for their rare journey.
“It’s tough because this is a really close locker room. Guys really care about one another. We put our heads down and worked out butts off all season,” McLaurin said. “When you fall short, it’s really hard, and you know this locker room won’t be the same next year.”
Changes occur for every team. Washington’s will be more than transactional, even if 30-odd free agents mean plenty of transactions. That spirit of brotherhood and competition was at the core of Quinn’s yearlong message. Along with a sensational rookie quarterback in Daniels, an array of incredible highs and last-second victories, the collective bond few involved ever felt during their respective football careers fueled Washington’s best season since the 1991 Super Bowl-winning ride.
“There’s a lot to take away from (this season),” Quinn said after Washington’s seven-game winning streak ended, his usual energetic voice softened. “There’s playoff experience. There’s a lot. I am just not there yet to have the reflection time.”
Daniels’ first season was highlighted by his remarkable dual-threat talents, precision passing and poise well beyond the norm for 24-year-olds tasked with starting duties. Though he delivered a season already considered the best by a rookie quarterback and never blinked in Washington’s third meeting against Philadelphia, Daniels couldn’t keep all the postgame emotions in check.
“It’s just another game for me. That’s how I treated it,” said Daniels, his voice shaking. “You have to go out there and earn it. You have to prove it. … We didn’t earn it tonight.”
The Commanders were in chase mode early and never caught up. After an opening drive with two fourth-down conversions ended with one of three Zane Gonzalez field goals, Washington immediately fell behind the first time Philadelphia’s offense touched the ball.
Despite Barkley being atop the pregame agenda, the MVP candidate blasted off for a 60-yard touchdown run — safeties Quan Martin and Jeremy Chinn missed tackles — and added a 4-yard scoring scamper before the period concluded.
.@saquon in open space. Good luck with that.
: #WASvsPHI on FOX
: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/6ZJja2OKW3— NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2025
Punter Tress Way’s 23-yard completion off a fake led to another Gonzalez field goal, and McLaurin’s 36-yard catch-and-run for his 10th touchdown in nine games pulled Washington closer at 14-12. The Eagles responded with two touchdowns in 65 seconds before halftime.
Hurts’ first touchdown run came after a rough drive for Washington cornerback Marshon Lattimore. The midseason acquisition allowed a 31-yard catch by A.J. Brown on a fourth-and-5 and was later flagged for pass interference — the fourth time in two games against the Eagles — in the end zone. The capper was a personal foul on the Hurts touchdown following an unnecessary tussle with Brown.
Instead of seeking a quick score, Jeremy McNichols fumbled the subsequent kickoff. Brown’s 4-yard touchdown seven plays later put Philadelphia up 15 before a third Gonzalez field goal sent Washington into halftime down 27-15.
“Even if those (turnovers) happen, we’ve got to allow those to become field goals and not into touchdowns,” Quinn said.
The two quarterbacks traded touchdown runs in the third quarter, as Daniels’ slithery 10-yarder and a two-point conversion pass to Olamide Zaccheaus cut the lead to 34-23. Driving for another potential score, Washington running back Austin Ekeler fumbled at midfield. Philadelphia recovered and then dropped the hammer in the rubber match by outscoring Washington 21-0 in the final period. The three touchdowns followed two Commanders turnovers and a turnover on downs.
Daniels ended his rookie season completing 29 of 48 passes for 255 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also led Washington with 48 rushing yards, scored the lone touchdown on the ground and helped convert 4 of 6 fourth-down attempts.
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Linebacker Frankie Luvu repeatedly rocketed through and over Philadelphia’s offensive line. Tight end Zach Ertz led Washington with 11 receptions for 104 yards, both season highs. Despite their efforts, the Super Bowl-bound Eagles crushed any momentum.
“Playing a good team like Philly, you can’t give those guys extra possessions,” Daniels said.
Despite the turnovers and other in-game specifics worthy of discussion, the questions and comments primarily centered on the season nobody saw coming. Ertz, abandoned by the league after two down seasons, was among the many who found new life with the Commanders. In the locker room, he reflected on the 12-5 regular-season record and reaching the NFC Championship Game for the second time in his career. Like guard Nick Allegretti, Zaccheaus and other disappointed teammates, Ertz mainly talked about the ride.
“Tough way to end the season. We won a lot of games and played in the NFC championship, but really the culture, the brotherhood that we have, really made it fun to go to work every day,” Ertz said. “How much guys exhausted the process, they’re my type of guys.”
Fans can take a cue from the players and coaches as they grieve, vent and lament as needed. Losing when a victory meant heading to New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX is a gut punch for any fan base. Whether the sadness lingers for hours, days or weeks, don’t forget where this unexpected magical season began.
This sum-of-the-parts group, assembled by Peters and others, created joy where none existed for years, if not decades. Washington won a playoff game for the first time since the 2005 season. With Daniels under center, the next postseason win or run won’t take as long. It just won’t be with the same cast of characters.
Some rosters need a good cleansing. Peters understood Washington required a massive makeover. From notable free-agent signings like Ertz and linebacker Bobby Wagner to the nine-player draft class to unheralded additions, Peters rarely missed.
Being able to play for an NFC title was inconceivable months earlier. But the general manager likely wasn’t contemplating all the good he directed and witnessed as he walked down the hallway following the loss.
(Photo of Zach Ertz and Dan Quinn: Emilee Chinn / Getty Images)
