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Super Bowl champion Joe Theismann, who spent his entire career with the then-Washington Redskins, is excited for the Commanders this season despite a disappointing season last year.
Last season, the Commanders went 5-12 after winning the NFC Championship in 2024. Theismann, 76, said the team ran out of gas last season because of injuries.
“Last year there were a lot of injuries in key spots. I think the defense was very susceptible in certain areas,” Theismann told Pak Gazette Digital in a recent interview. “With Bobby (Wagner) getting older now, obviously, we’re out of gas. 17 games is a lot of football games, right? I mean, that’s a lot of wear and tear on your body. I don’t care how young you think you are, your body will tell you that you’re not that young.”
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Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders looks on from the sideline after leaving the game during the second half against the Minnesota Vikings at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on December 7, 2025. (Ellen Schmidt/Getty Images)
The Commanders’ defense struggled last season, allowing 26.5 points per game, 27th in the NFL. The team addressed its porous defense in the NFL Draft, selecting Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles with the seventh overall pick.
“Our No. 1 pick is going to be something special going forward,” Theismann said. “I think we added some really great pieces on defense.”
The commanders invested a lot in its defense. Former Los Angeles Chargers pass rusher Odafe Oweh (four years, $100 million), former Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal (three years, $24.75 million) and former Houston Texans defensive tackle Tim Settle (three years, $24 million) were among his key free agent additions.
Star receiver Terry McLaurin missed most of the Commanders’ offseason program due to a contract buyout, and Theismann noted that he will be an active participant in this year’s program.
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Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Sonny Styles moves into position during the 2025 Cotton Bowl quarterfinal game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Dec. 31, 2025. (Jerome Miron/Imagn Images)
The Commanders made a change in offensive coordinator after mutually agreeing to part ways with Kliff Kingsbury. The Commanders promoted David Blough to replace Kingsbury, and Theismann noted the offense will be called differently.
“I think David Blough is going to call games a little bit differently than Kliff did. A little more play action, a little more under center. And this is what Jayden (Daniels) had a chance to work on while he wasn’t in games at the end of the season. So he’s a little ahead of the curve on that, too,” Theismann said.
Daniels was limited to just seven games due to injury last season, giving him a chance to get a head start in a new system late in the season.
Theismann noted that while the Commanders improved, the rest of the NFC East improved as well.
“The division itself has gotten better. The Giants got better. I think the coaching change makes the difference. Jaxson Dart comes in for another year. Defensively, they really didn’t play with the talent they have,” Theismann said. “The Cowboys added defensive talent. They needed some help there. The Eagles are the Eagles; they’re not going away. I mean, everyone’s trying to get at Jalen (Hurts) and all he does is show up and get the job done and win football games.”
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Former player Joe Theismann speaks during the announcement of the Washington Football Team’s name change to the Washington Commanders at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, on February 2, 2022. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Theismann played in the NFL for 12 seasons and spent his entire career with the then-Washington Redskins. He was named league MVP in 1983 and made the Pro Bowl twice.
He led the Redskins to the Super Bowl in 1982, when they beat the Miami Dolphins 27-17 in Super Bowl XVII. For his career, Theismann completed 56.7% of his passes for 25,206 yards with 160 touchdowns and 138 interceptions.
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Theismann will compete in the American Century Championship July 10-12 at Edgewood Golf Course in Lake Tahoe. The tournament will air on NBC and Peacock.
