Does Commanders schedule make Washington’s 2026 season easier or harder?
The NFL schedule release provides some structure to the Commanders 2026 season.We'veknownmost ofthe details about opposition,strength of scheduleand the expected wins that come with the offseason moves.Those are better indicators of how the Commanders will fare in 2026, though the schedule has some say.
That begs a simple question: Does Thursday's Commanders schedule announcement make life easier or harderonWashington?
When applying some context, it mostdefinitely has an impact.In which direction?That'lldepend on howthe springand summergoes.Oh, and health. Health is super, duper important.
The Commanders hired new coordinators this year withbrand new schemes. David Blough will be running an offense featuring now-healthy quarterback Jayden Daniels and Daronte Jones is charged with improvingperformance witha completely overhauled defensive depth chart.
How quicklycanthose two get their guys going strong?After looking at the 2026 Commanders schedule,it'llbe imperative.
For your convenience @SeatGeek | https://t.co/AY255imOeppic.twitter.com/OsD2pQN5F1
- Washington Commanders (@Commanders) May 14, 2026
Washington starts the season with consecutive road games at Philadelphia and Dallas. Then they get theSuper Bowl-championSeattle Seahawks ina Week3home opener.Next they go to London to face the Colts and return for a Week 5 contest against the New York Giants.
That starts a brutal stretch where they face the 49ers in Week 6 and then the Eagles and L.A. Rams aftera Week7 bye.Noneed to figure out how many 2025 playoff teams are featured in thatstretch.I'lldo the count for you- five of them in the first eight games.
The Commanders also play five of six scheduled NFC East games in the first10 weeks, so Jones and Blough(plus the assistant coaches) must help accelerate the learning curve andcontribute to early wins.
There'sanother side to this argument. Jones and Blough will have some mystery to them in the earlygoing, as first-time coordinatorswith influences and understoodphilsophiesbut no tape on file as play callers. That mightassistin squeaking out some early wins.
And, if the team is galvanized through this early trial by fire, there's room to start stacking wins over the season's second half.
So, back to the original question:Does the schedule make life easier or harder on the 2026 Commanders?It'lldepend on (well, health) and how this upgradedrosterand its new coaches will navigate the early going.