Commanders 'Path Towards Relevancy' Starts with QB Decision

The Washington Commanders face a defining offseason and with the superb cards they have been dealt, can't afford to mess it up.

The Washington Commanders have long been in the doldrums of the NFL, but that could all be about to change.

After years of being irrelevant in the NFC East, the Commanders could be about to ascend. With a new owner (Josh Harris), general manager (Adam Peters), and head coach (Dan Quinn) they are making the right moves.

Now, we add that the Commanders hold the No. 2 pick in the upcoming draft and have the most salary cap room in the entire league, things are looking up.

For CBS Sports.com, how Washington handles this monumental opportunity will be fascinating to watch this offseason.

"Washington has the most cap space -- about $83.5 million -- in the league and it possesses the No. 2 overall pick, likely giving it a choice between UNC quarterback Drake Maye and LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels," CBS Sports writes. "With Adam Peters hired as GM and Dan Quinn brought on as the new head coach, this is the most critical offseason the franchise has faced in recent history. If they hit the right buttons, they could be on the path toward relevancy."

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn (L) smiles as Commanders general manager Adam Peters (R) speaks during Quinn's introductory press conference at Commanders Park / Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Washington needs a quarterback, and which way the franchise goes could determine its fate for the next decade. We have seen the comparisons between Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud as the Carolina Panthers, for some chose wrong - Washington can't afford to.

Depending on which sports talk show you listen to, either Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, or Jayden Daniels could be seen as "the guy" so the Commanders will have their choice at No. 2.

General manager Adam Peters stated that they would build through the draft and look for some good value free agents to complement their draft haul. That feels like a good plan.

But again, Washington has to pick the right free agents and just because it has an absurd amount of cap room, doesn't mean it needs to overpay to get players in the doors. They need to be smart with their acquisitions.

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It feels like the Commanders have been handed the keys to unlocking the door and walking out of the NFL's basement after a decade of being everyone's laughingstock.

The door is open, and the stairs are clear...they couldn't afford to stumble.