Commanders Offense Has 'Too Much Unknown' to Challenge For NFC East

The Washington Commanders will enter the season with a host of questions on the offensive side of the ball, and as such, CBS Sports has picked them to finish bottom of the NFC East.

The NFC East is now one of the tougher divisions in football. With the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, and New York Giants all playoff teams last season, the Washington Commanders finished bottom of the division with an 8-8-1 record.

With a host of changes offensively, optimism is in the air for the Commanders, and with a stout defense, could Washington challenge in the NFC East? 

For CBS Sports, that is a firm no, as, despite Jack Del Rio's stout defense, the offense has too many question marks to warrant placing them in contention.

"Questions abound at their quarterback position," CBS Sports writes. "The hiring of assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy will help the development of the two quarterbacks in contention to start -- Sam Howell and Jacoby Brissett -- but neither appears poised to make a Geno Smith-like leap in 2023 despite some nice wider receiver talent in Pro Bowler Terry McLaurin plus speedsters Jahan Dotson and Curtis Samuel. 

"Too much is unknown about Washington's offense at this point to pick them to finish ahead of the Eagles, Cowboys or Giants -- all teams that won a playoff game last season."

With the Eagles and Cowboys in the conversation for Super Bowl contention and the Giants expected to improve again, the Commanders could find themselves looking up at the rest of the division.

However, if Bieniemy can make things click with Howell and Del Rio's defense continues being one of the better units in the league, then Washington might surprise when the final NFC East standings are seen.

But for now, that looks like a bridge too far for an offense with so many unknowns heading into the season.

---

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Washington Commanders? Click Here.

Follow Adam Schultz on Twitter

Follow Commander Country on Twitter.

Want even more Washington Commanders news? Check out the SI.com team page here