Former No. 1 overall pick says Commanders may be 'complete failure' in 2025
A former NFL wide receiver said the Commanders could be a complete failure next season.
Former No. 1 overall selection in the 1996 NFL draft WR Keyshawn Johnson made his assertive declaration on a recent episode of "Speak" (formerly Speak for Yourself).
Host Joy Taylor asked, "How much better can the Commanders be in Jayden's (Daniels) second season?"
Johnson replied, "They're going to be better. This is why they went out and got Laremy Tunsil. This is why they went out and got Deebo Samuel. This is the reason they are signing the players. Because they are ahead of the curve of where they thought they would be a thousand times over."
The former receiver, who played for the Jets, Bucs, Cowboys, and Panthers, continued, "So now, they get to Philly in the NFC Championship game. A few plays here or there; they are in the Super Bowl. And they know that. These are the moves we need to make to make us better, to get us over the hump, only in our second year."
Johnson was correct; the Commanders were a huge surprise last year, going from 4-13 in 2023 to 12-5 in 2024. They were much farther ahead last year than anyone had dared imagine.
Yet, didn't Johnson err when he said, "A few plays, and they were in the Super Bowl?" Does Johnson recall that the Commanders were actually beaten 55-23 (32-point loss)? The Eagles ran the ball all over them (229 yards) and forced them into four turnovers while not turning it over to Washington once.
Then Johnson became emphatic, using his arms to vigorously say, "Anything short of an NFC Championship appearance for Jayden Daniels in year two is a complete failure." Johnson was absolutely confident of himself and assured he was right to make such a declaration.
Anything short.... would be a complete failure?
What is certain is that Johnson has illustrated well, in one sentence, what is wrong with sports talk shows today. Johnson illustrated quite well that those being paid very well to "educate us" so often have no understanding of a fundamental principle of elementary logic. They too often spew out one logical fallacy after another.
Here, Johnson violated the logical fallacy of "the law of the excluded middle." Listen to many of these pundits, and they simplistically extol a player or coach as a hall of famer or a bum. It happens much more than you might realize. In this case, the Commanders will either be in the NFC Championship game, or their season will "be a complete failure".
Yet, if you only take a moment, can't you think of several scenarios that could easily result in the Commanders not making the NFC Championship game next year? How about an injury to any one of several players at just the wrong time of the season?
How about the 'fact' that the Commanders will be playing a more difficult schedule than in 2024? Couldn't this easily result in more losses and a lower seed in the playoffs?
How about the 'fact' that the Commanders won their last four 2024 regular season games, each in the final seconds? How about their playoff win came on a 'doink' off the goal post that bounced through for three points?
So, just how dominant were the Commanders in 2024 that a 'TV expert' can so confidently be altogether certain "anything short of the NFC Championship game will be a complete failure?"
In reality, these experts often simplistically propose an either-or fallacy, which is nothing more than a false dilemma, entirely unaware that in a civilization, there are more than merely two options to many situations.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Keyshawn Johnson says NFC Title game or Commanders fail in 2025
-
Commanders bring back former No. 4 overall pick for 2025
The Washington Commanders are bringing back defensive end Clelin Ferrell for next season.Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Could the US buy Greenland? If so, how?
Donald Trump says he wants the US to take over Greenland. Could it happen? If so, how?BBC News - Mar. 6 -
Bears to sign former Commanders WR Olamide Zaccheaus to 1-year deal
The Bears are signing former Washington Commanders wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus to a one-year deal, according to Tom PelisseroYahoo Sports - 6d -
Marcus Mariota says the 'grass isn't always greener' in his return to Commanders
Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota says the 'grass isn't always greener' elsewhere.Yahoo Sports - 6d -
2025 NFL Draft: Cam Ward says it 'would be a dream' to play for this NFC South team someday
Ward is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL DraftCBS Sports - 2d -
Commanders rework Deebo Samuel's contract to guarantee $17 million in 2025 salary, AP source says
Deebo Samuel and the Washington Commanders have reworked the wide receiver's contract to guarantee $17 million this season with $3 million in additional incentives, according to a person with ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
NFL insider: New York Giants' plan of trading for No. 1 pick 'appears dead'
One NFL insider says the New York Giants' plan of trading up for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft "appears dead."Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Ertz to run it back with Commanders, source says
Three-time Pro Bowl tight end Zach Ertz is re-signing with the Washington Commanders on a one-year deal worth $6.25 million, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.ESPN - Mar. 9 -
Commanders sweeten Deebo's deal, sources say
The Commanders are guaranteeing $17 million of Deebo Samuel's previously non-guaranteed salary for this season, along with adding another $3 million worth of incentives, sources told ESPN's Adam ...ESPN - 21h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Michigan vs. UC San Diego Livestream: How to Watch the Men’s March Madness Game Online
The Wolverines take on the Tritons from the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, in tonight's first round showdownYahoo Sports - 8m -
Croatia beats France 2-0 in Nations League quarterfinals to spoil Mbappé's return
Croatia contained the attacking duo of Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé in a 2-0 victory over France in the first leg of the Nations League quarterfinals Thursday. Ante Budimir headed Croatia ...Yahoo Sports - 8m -
How can one Notre Dame women's basketball player get her game back in gear during March Madness?
Notre Dame women's basketball has had to sit with a lackluster loss in the Atlantic Coast Conference for the last 13 days, which hasn't sat well with one IrishYahoo Sports - 8m -
SIUE's Ray'Sean Taylor broke down in tears after NCAA loss. The chance to play meant that much
The best assist that Brian Taylor II made on Thursday after SIU Edwardsville had been routed by Houston in the school's first trip to the NCAA Tournament came long after the teams had walked off ...Yahoo Sports - 11m -
Purdue basketball prediction vs McNeese: Who has edge in March Madness second round
Purdue was a popular upset pick in the first round, will No. 12 McNeese State be this March Madness' Cinderella?Yahoo Sports - 12m
More in Sports
-
Barcelona to finish season at Olympic Stadium
Barcelona on Thursday informed its fans that the club will finish the season at Olympic Stadium where they will play all remaining LaLiga and Champions League matches as construction at Spotify ...ESPN - 5m -
Chelsea ink Sporting pair, deals worth up to $80M
Chelsea have reached an agreement to sign Sporting Lisbon's Geovany Quenda and Dario Essugo in a joint deal worth up to €74.4 million ($81.15 million), the Portuguese side confirmed on Wednesday.ESPN - 5m -
Tuchel: England were afraid to lose at Euro 2024
Thomas Tuchel has said he believes England struggled to produce consistent performances at Euro 2024 as the players were more afraid of being knocked out of the tournament than they were focused to ...ESPN - 5m -
Japan become 1st side to qualify for '26 World Cup
Japan beat Bahrain 2-0 in Saitama on Thursday to become the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.ESPN - 5m -
Andy Robertson: Liverpool career far from over
Andrew Robertson has brushed off criticism of his Liverpool performances this season and insisted that his time at Anfield is not coming to an end.ESPN - 5m