Commanders’ defender makes his stance on tanking clear

Tanking is a popular term amongst sports fans, especially over the past decade. The best example of tanking came from the Philadelphia 76ers over a decade ago. Coincidentally enough, the Sixers’ primary owner was Josh Harris, who is now the managing partner of the Washington Commanders. Philadelphia acknowledged the tanking, calling it “The Process.”

The goal of tanking is to secure as high a draft pick as possible in the following year’s college draft. Tanking doesn’t really exist in the NFL. Every team, from the GM to the coaches, feels pressure to win now. Whether you’re 1-15 in Week 18 or 12-4, the goal is to win every game. After all, there are only 17 on the schedule.

This brings us to the 2025 Commanders. After shocking the world and going 12-5 and reaching the NFC Championship Game last year, Washington was 3-10, losers of eight straight games heading into Sunday’s NFC East matchup against the New York Giants. The Commanders ended that losing streak on Sunday, improving to 4-10. With no hopes of a playoff bid, Washington coaches and players prepared for Week 15 as they had for Week 1. The goal was the same.

One popular longtime Commander made his feelings on tanking clear after Washington’s win.

If you think Reaves is the exception, you’re wrong. Almost every NFL player has the same goal. Dan Quinn went 12-5 in his first season as head coach of Washington in 2024. In most instances, he’d never be on the hot seat the following year, no matter how bad it had gotten. But this is the NFL. You just never know. Sunday’s win was special for Quinn and his players, a reward for their continued hard work, despite such a difficult season.

You don’t believe it? Check out the scene in the locker room after beating the Giants.

Sunday’s win didn’t turn around the Commanders’ season, but it still felt good. So, while many Washington fans were disappointed in the result, the players weren’t. Losing games never guarantees anything anyway. Remember when Washington fans wanted to lose to the Giants late in the 2019 season so they could land the No. 2 overall pick and select Ohio State defensive end Chase Young? How’d that one turn out?

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Jeremy Reaves doesn’t care about draft order

Source link