Commanders 2024 NFL Schedule Released for Jayden Daniels, Dan Quinn's Debut Season

The Washington Commanders have a new owner, new general manager, new coach and, at last, a new franchise quarterback.

The Commanders selected Jayden Daniels with the No. 2 pick in April's draft, the biggest sign yet of a new era in Washington.

Daniels brings a Heisman pedigree, a beautiful deep ball and elite scrambling ability to the Commanders. He's their greatest hope under center since Robert Griffin III

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2024 Washington Commanders Schedule

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Analysis

The Commanders have a perfectly middle of the road strength of schedule. They're tied with the Minnesota Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals for the 14th-easisest schedule in the NFL, with their opponents coming in at a .502 winning percentage.

The NFC East's common opponents are the AFC North and NFC South, which won't exactly be the easiest go of things. The AFC North might be the best division in all of football.

The Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns all enter this season with visions of deep playoff runs and have the rosters to make it happen. The NFC South is improving but still one of the worst divisions in the NFL. None of the teams are exactly eliciting fear, and Washington will likely be a solid favorite at least against the Carolina Panthers.

Washington gets the benefit of some relatively breezy non-divisional opponents after finishing last in the NFC East last season. Games against the Tennessee Titans and Arizona Cardinals are winnable, and the Chicago Bears are kickstarting their own rebuild this season.

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Pivotal Matchups

The Commanders aren't a candidate to turn things around immediately in Year 1 of the Dan Quinn Era. There were just too many holes to fill on this roster, and handing the keys over to a rookie quarterback is a risky proposition.

The key to a successful season will be growth. Daniels needs to begin to show he was the right decision at No. 2, particularly with so many evaluators having him behind Drake Maye, who went No. 3 to the New England Patriots.

The Commanders' matchup against the Bears will at least pique the interest of draft gurus who debated the merits of Daniels vs. Caleb Williams. We won't get to see Washington take on the Patriots for a Maye vs. Daniels matchup, barring some unforeseen scenario where they meet in the playoffs.

As it stands, the Commanders just need to show growth and competence as they look to win back the fan base that left amid the chaotic Dan Snyder tenure.