The 2025 season was the Washington Commanders' 94th in the National Football League (NFL) and their second under the tandem of general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn. The Commanders failed to improve upon their record from the previous season, and failed to match that record with their sixth loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 9. The season also saw the team start over 13 games, their worst such start since 2019 when they were known as the Redskins. The season was plagued by injuries to several key players, including quarterback Jayden Daniels and wide receiver Terry McLaurin, as well as consistently poor defensive performances. They were the first NFL team since the 2002 Arizona Cardinals to lose four consecutive games by 21 or more points. Following their shutout loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 14, the Commanders were eliminated from playoff contention.
The front office saw the addition of former Campbell's CEO Mark Clouse as team president and the retirements of senior personnel executive Martin Mayhew and advisor Marty Hurney. The coaching staff saw Brian Schneider replace John Glenn, who left to become the linebackers coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, as assistant special teams coordinator.
In the offseason, the Commanders traded draft picks for Houston Texans left tackle Laremy Tunsil and San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel. Notable free agents signed include defensive ends Deatrich Wise Jr. and Jacob Martin, outside linebacker Von Miller, defensive tackles Javon Kinlaw and Eddie Goldman, cornerback Jonathan Jones, safety Will Harris, and kicker Matt Gay. In July, the Commanders revealed "Super Bowl Era" alternate uniforms resembling those of the franchise's former Super Bowl-winning teams. The Commanders had five players listed in the NFL Top 100 Players of 2025, which was revealed during the lead up to the season. Included were Jayden Daniels (21), Terry McLaurin (52), Frankie Luvu (70), Bobby Wagner (74), and Laremy Tunsil (86).
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
For the season opener against the New York Giants, Jayden Daniels, Jeremy Reaves, and Bobby Wagner served as game captains. The win marked the first time the Commanders won three straight over the Giants since 1999âÂÂ2000. Former wide receiver Santana Moss was inducted into the Commanders Ring of Fame at halftime.
Nick Bellore, Zach Ertz, and Frankie Luvu served as game captains. The Commanders were down 14âÂÂ3 at halftime, and 17âÂÂ3 at the end of the third quarter, but managed to outscore the Packers 15âÂÂ10 in the 4th quarter. However, this was not enough to seal the win, as the Packers took a knee to run out the clock. Austin Ekeler would be lost for the season with an Achilles injury.
Percy Butler, Daron Payne, and Laremy Tunsil served as game captains. Wide receiver Jaylin Lane tied a Commanders' record when he returned a 90-yard punt return for a touchdown.
Marcus Mariota, Quan Martin, and Tress Way served as game captains. The Commanders had an extremely disappointing game against the Michael Penix Jr.âÂÂled Atlanta Falcons, as they were upset with a loss of 34âÂÂ27. With their first loss to Atlanta since 2018, the Commanders fell to 2âÂÂ2.
Javon Kinlaw, Jeremy McNichols, and Deebo Samuel served as game captains.
After allowing the Chargers to score the first 10 points, the Commanders shut them out for the remainder of the game and scored 27 unanswered points en route to a 27âÂÂ10 victory. With the win, the Commanders improved to 3âÂÂ2 and recorded their first road victory against the Chargers since the 1986 season, when the team was known as the San Diego Chargers.
Quarterback Jayden Daniels became the first quarterback in NFL history to rush for over 1,000 yards within his first 20 career games.
In a rematch of last seasonâÂÂs thrilling game, which ended with a walk-off Hail Mary by Washington, it was the Bears who delivered the final blow this time, upsetting Washington 25âÂÂ24. The Bears controlled much of the first half, but the game tightened in the third quarter as both teams traded scores to change the lead. With just under three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Washington held a 24âÂÂ22 lead until a botched handoff between quarterback Daniels and Jeremy McNichols resulted in a fumble and turnover. The Bears capitalized on the mistake, and kicker Jake Moody sealed the win with a walk-off field goal on the ensuing drive. With the loss, Washington fell to 3âÂÂ3.
Dorance Armstrong, John Bates, and Mike Sainristil served as game captains.
Chris Paul, Tyler Owens, and Von Miller served as game captains. The Commanders had an extremely disappointing game against the Dak PrescottâÂÂled Dallas Cowboys, as they were upset with a blowout loss of 44âÂÂ22. With the loss, the Commanders fell to 3âÂÂ4.
Javon Kinlaw, Jacob Martin, and Luke McCaffrey served as game captains. With their ninth straight loss to Kansas City since 1983, the Commanders fell to 3âÂÂ5.
Percy Butler, Zach Ertz, and Marshon Lattimore served as game captains.
During the fourth quarter of the game, Jayden Daniels sustained a dislocated left elbow, an injury that was later announced would sideline him for the next three games.
Daron Payne, Jeremy Reaves, and Chris Rodriguez Jr. served as game captains.
Donald Trump was in attendance for this game, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to attend an NFL game since Jimmy Carter in October 1978, leading to extra security measures enacted and Air Force One flying over the stadium in the first quarter. Trump also spoke from the broadcast booth with Kenny Albert and Jonathan Vilma during the third quarter, including providing reactionary commentary on Deebo SamuelâÂÂs touchdown.
With the blowout loss, Washington fell to 3âÂÂ7 for the first time since 2020.
The Commanders and the Dolphins played in Madrid in the first NFL regular-season game held in Spain as part of the NFL International Series.
On the first play of overtime, backup quarterback Marcus Mariota threw an interception to Dolphins cornerback Jack Jones, which set up a game-winning 29-yard field goal by Dolphins kicker Riley Patterson.
The Commanders had an extremely disappointing game against the Tua Tagovailoa-led Dolphins, as they were upset with an overtime loss of 16âÂÂ13. With their second loss to Miami since 2023, the Commanders fell to 3âÂÂ8 and extended their losing streak to six games.
Following the game, the Commanders released kicker Matt Gay, who missed two of his four field-goal attempts, including one with 15 seconds remaining in regulation that would have won the game for Washington.
In overtime, after Marcus Mariota led the Commanders to a touchdown, the team opted to attempt a two-point conversion for the win. However, Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto batted away MariotaâÂÂs pass, allowing the Broncos to hold on for the victory. With their seventh straight loss, the Commanders fell to 3âÂÂ9 and finished 2âÂÂ2 against the AFC West and 2âÂÂ3 against the AFC.
Midway through the third quarter, Jayden Daniels was forced out of the game after he was blocked during an interception return and landed hard on the left elbow he dislocated last month requiring a three-game absence. Additionally, Zach Ertz suffered a torn ACL in his right knee.
Washington suffered its first shutout loss since a 9âÂÂ0 defeat to the San Francisco 49ers during the 2019 season and was eliminated from playoff contention with the loss. The Commanders were additionally swept by the NFC North.
Noah Brown, Jaylin Lane, and Jordan Magee served as game captains. With the win over the Giants, the Commanders improved to 4âÂÂ10 and snapped their eight-game losing streak, sweeping the Giants for the second season in a row.
The following day, the Commanders announced that they would shut down Jayden Daniels for the remainder of the season and start backup quarterback Marcus Mariota in his place.
Despite holding a 10âÂÂ7 lead at halftime, the Commanders allowed 22 points in the second half, including touchdowns to tight end Dallas Goedert and running back Saquon Barkley. In the third quarter, backup quarterback Marcus Mariota left the game due to injury and was replaced by third-stringer Josh Johnson. With their ninth loss in their last ten games, the Commanders fell to 4âÂÂ11 and 2âÂÂ2 against the NFC East.
During the fourth quarter, a brawl broke out involving two Commanders defenders, defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw and safety Quan Martin, and one Eagles player, offensive lineman Tyler Steen. All three were disqualified after being flagged for unnecessary roughness during the altercation.
For the Christmas Day game against the Cowboys, Frankie Luvu, Chris Rodriguez Jr., and Tress Way served as game captains.
With the loss, the Commanders dropped to 4âÂÂ12 (2âÂÂ3 against the NFC East), went winless when wearing the Super Bowl Era alternate uniform, and were swept by the Cowboys for the third time in five years. They finished 2âÂÂ6 at home.
Jacob Martin, Jeremy McNichols, and Colson Yankoff served as game captains. With the win, the Commanders finished their season with a 5âÂÂ12 record, while also going 3âÂÂ3 against the NFC East and 3âÂÂ6 on the road.