Magic Johnson calls out Commanders after Week 5 loss: 'No intensity'

Magic Johnson expressed his disappointment with the Washington Commanders' performance after their home loss to the Chicago Bears on Thursday Night Football.

Johnson, part of the ownership group led by Josh Harris that recently acquired the Commanders, called out Washington players' toughness during the 40-20 loss, which marks the team's third straight defeat.

"Tonight, the Commanders played with no intensity or fire," Johnson tweeted. "We didn't compete in the first half and got down 27-3 heading into halftime. It was too big of a hole to climb out of, and that is why we ended up losing 40-20."

Tonight the Commanders played with no intensity or fire. We didn't compete in the first half and got down 27-3 heading into halftime. It was too big of a hole to climb out of and that is why we ended up losing 40-20.

- Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) October 6, 2023

Several Commanders players agreed with Johnson, including defensive end Montez Sweat.

"Definitely," Sweat said postgame, according to ESPN's John Keim. "We came out flat."

Sweat added: "I don't know if we thought they was about to give us the game. But them guys was hungry. They came out with more fire than us."

Washington head coach Ron Rivera shouldered the blame after the disappointing result.

"It starts at the top. We've got to do better, and that's on me," Rivera said, according to Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk.

The loss dropped the Commanders - who've now allowed 30 or more points in each of their last four games - to 2-3 this season. The club began the campaign with wins over the Arizona Cardinals and Denver Broncos.

Washington visits the Atlanta Falcons in Week 6.

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