The 2022 campaign marked a historic milestone for the franchise as they officially debuted the Washington Commanders moniker but the on-field product remained a volatile rollercoaster. Head coach Ron Rivera sought to stabilize the game’s most important position by swinging a major offseason trade for veteran quarterback Carson Wentz, while bolstering the trenches with free-agent guards Andrew Norwell and Trai Turner. Expectations were cautiously optimistic in a fiercely competitive NFC East, but a rocky start quickly forced the team into a desperate uphill battle. Washington managed to claw its way back into the playoff hunt, but a late-season stumble ultimately resulted in an 8-8-1 record, landing them in fourth place within the division and agonizingly close to a wild card berth.

Washington’s offense attempted to operate a ball control, run heavy approach but lacked any consistent explosiveness, ultimately finishing 24th in points scored (18.9 ppg) and 20th in total yards. Carson Wentz started seven games, offering a few dynamic moments but struggling heavily with efficiency, throwing for 1,755 yards, 11 touchdowns, and nine interceptions before a finger injury sidelined him. Fan favorite Taylor Heinicke injected a necessary spark during his nine starts, providing grit and leadership while throwing for 1,859 yards and 12 touchdowns against six interceptions. The highlight of the unit was Pro Bowl wide receiver Terry McLaurin, who caught 77 passes for 1,191 yards and five touchdowns. Rookie running back Brian Robinson Jr. provided an incredibly inspiring storyline, returning from an offseason shooting to lead the ground game with 797 rushing yards alongside versatile weapon Antonio Gibson.

While the offense searched for answers, Jack Del Rio’s defense was the undisputed backbone of the roster, ranking an elite third in total yards allowed and seventh in points surrendered (20.2 ppg). The defensive line was a terrifying unit to game-plan against, anchored by interior wrecking balls Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen, who both earned Pro Bowl nods. Payne enjoyed a career year with a team-high 11.5 sacks and 20 quarterback hits, while Allen disrupted opposing backfields with 7.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss. On the edge, Montez Sweat contributed 8.0 sacks and a staggering 28 quarterback hits, which helped mask the extended absence of Chase Young. In the secondary, safety Darrick Forrest emerged as a breakout playmaker, pacing the team with four interceptions and nine pass deflections.

The trajectory of the season was defined by streaks, starting with a dismal 1-4 stretch that threatened to derail the year entirely. The highlight of the year came in Week 10 on Monday Night Football, when the underdog Commanders traveled to Philadelphia and handed the previously undefeated Eagles a shocking 32-21 defeat, powered by a relentless rushing attack and four forced turnovers. That signature triumph sparked a scorching stretch where Washington won six out of seven games to put themselves firmly in control of their postseason destiny. However, a brutal December collapse followed, featuring a 20-20 stalemate against the New York Giants and a crushing 20-12 loss just two weeks later to those same Giants, severely damaging their playoff leverage.

A definitive 24-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns in Week 17 officially eliminated Washington from playoff contention, making their season-finale 26-6 blowout victory over the Dallas Cowboys a bittersweet glimpse into the future. That final game belonged to rookie quarterback Sam Howell, who made his lone regular season start and looked impressive with a passing touchdown and a rushing score. While the team missed out on January football, the year left a lasting legacy centered around an elite defensive core and the historic rebranding. Beyond the Pro Bowl recognition for Allen, Payne, McLaurin, and punter Tress Way, special teams ace Jeremy Reaves earned a prestigious First-Team All-Pro selection, putting a heartwarming stamp on a gritty, transitional era of football in the nation’s capital.