As we move into training camp for the 2021 season, each team in the NFC East is returning with an upgraded roster from the previous season. Each team has added more offensive playmaking ability, which was a problem for every team in the NFC East during the 2020 season (with the exception of the Cowboys). One thing is for sure: we won't have a division winner with a losing record.
Washington enters training camp with several notable offensive additions. Starting with their new starting quarterback: Ryan Fitzpatrick. Say what you want about Fitzpatrick, but he is certainly an upgrade from any QB Washington had under center in 2020. Often times, Fitzpatrick gets a bad rap for being careless with the ball and inconsistent over long periods of times. Ryan Clark of ESPN (made the point skip to 4:25) that never in Fitzpatrick's playing career has any team ever said they were a "Fitzmagic away from being the best team in the division." While this is true, not many teams in past years have been as properly equipped as Washington on the defensive end. As plenty of analysts have already declared, all Washington needed was competent quarterback play to have won at least three more games last season. Putting points on the board was often the issue that plagued Washington's ability to win games. What people fail to realize is that Fitzpatrick has actually played very well over his past few seasons. In the 2020 NFL season, Fitzpatrick was the #1 quarterback under pressure. His 98.6 passer rating and 62.1% completion percentage under pressure were the highest in the league. After ranking 25th in points per game and still making it to the playoffs, albeit with a losing record, I think it's safe to say that Washington is a Fitzmagic away from being the best team in their division.
The receiving core of the Washington Football Team took huge strides this offseason, signing Curtis Samuel, Adam Humphries, and drafting Dyami Brown from UNC. Samuel and Brown add much needed speed for explosive plays down the field, and Humphries will likely take Steven Simms' role as the primary slot receiver. The closest receiving core Washington has had to this was in the 2016 season, when Desean Jackson and Pierre Garcon lined up on the outside, and Jamison Crowder was in the slot. This was when Kirk Cousins was at the helm, throwing for 4,000+ yards every year as a starter. With the 2016 season culminating in a 8-7-1 record, Washington looked to their defense as a liability. Fast forward to this past season, the roles have been reversed. But not for long. Washington now has a similar dynamic as the 2016 offense, with much more speed in Samuel, McLaurin and Humphries. In addition, Washington now have a solid young running back in Antonio Gibson, who I think is more of an offensive threat than Robert Kelley was.
