As of Oct. 28, 2024, the Washington Commanders’ 2024-2025 record is 6-2-0, ranking them #1 in the NFC East. Many Freedom High School students and staff Commander fans are excited about the team’s improvement this season, as it is a significant difference from the 2023-2024 season record of 4-13-0, which finished them at #4 in the NFC East.
“[Their record] is a very nice thing to see, especially after how bad they were the past years,” said senior James Ryu.
Media like the Washington Post has credited much of the success to the Commanders’ new coach, Dan Quinn, and their rookie quarterback, Jayden Daniels. Before becoming head coach of the Commanders, Quinn served as the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive coordinator, earning Assistant Coach of the Year by the Associated Press. Daniels was drafted #2 overall in the 2024 draft, having played at LSU as quarterback beforehand with a 10-3 record last season, earning him a Heisman Finalist place and SEC Male Athlete of the Year.
“[Their success] definitely starts with the quarterback,” said Andy Devitt, Health & PE Teacher. “That’s the guy that touches the ball every play; he’s the leader. They’re going to go how he goes.”
Having only lost two games against the Buccaneers and the Baltimore Ravens, Commander fans at Freedom High School have high hopes for their success throughout the season. With nine more games remaining in the regular season, the Commanders must continue their success for a couple more months before fans can truly know about their post-season fate. However, many supporters at Freedom are already hoping that the team will make it to the postseason.
“I think they have a really good chance of doing good things,” Devitt said. “I think as long as their quarterback stays healthy, they have a really, really good shot at being in the postseason.”
The Commanders’ next game is on Nov. 3, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. EST against the New York Giants. They will be coming off a win against the Chicago Bears, where Daniels threw a Hail Mary touchdown to wide receiver Noah Brown at the last second of the game, earning the Commanders an 18-15 win.
