Every great story seems to begin with someone deciding to give it one more shot. The Commanders’ season ended with a brutal loss to the Eagles in the NFC Championship. But Washington has come a long way. Haven’t they? And Ross Tucker is telling fans to keep their heads high. His optimism wasn’t just about the players or the coaches, though. It was about a foundation that’s been rebuilt from the ground up.

“If you’re a Commanders fan right now, you know that the future is bright,” Tucker shared on The Dan Patrick Show on January 27. “I would be very very excited, very excited because, number one, a lot of the guys they brought in this year with the new GM Adam Peters.” Yet Tucker didn’t shy away from Sunday’s harsh reality. “The Eagles are just that loaded,” he admitted. He even spilled the beans on how multiple Commanders players would like to start for Philadelphia.

“It’s hard to win if you only have three to five guys that would even start for the other team,” Tucker said. But his core message was clear. Washington’s turnaround is no fluke. Peters and Co. have built something durable. And this team could be a true powerhouse with time. Tucker’s praise for Peters wasn’t unwarranted. The rookie class alone transformed the Commanders’ trajectory. It was headlined by quarterback Jayden Daniels, of course.

Jayden Daniels is widely expected to win Offensive Rookie of the Year. Besides, he showcased poise and skill in a playoff run that included two upset victories. The front office also revamped the defense. They brought in seasoned leaders like Bobby Wagner and Jeremy Chinn to complement young stars. Frankie Luvu was a standout linebacker acquisition. And he had an immediate impact, solidifying a once-porous unit.

Off the field, the change in ownership has sparked an entirely different culture in Washington. Magic Johnson and the new ownership group brought fresh energy. And shedded years of dysfunction under Dan Snyder. Dan joked about Snyder watching from his yacht in misery. “Imagine you get $6 billion and you on your yacht somewhere in the south of France and you’re watching this and he’s miserable,” Dan said

Ross Tucker’s Commanders nostalgia meets Magic Johnson’s vision

Ross Tucker couldn’t contain his enthusiasm while reflecting on the Commanders’ remarkable season. He was once a player for the franchise during its highs and lows. Hence, Tucker noted the complete cultural transformation.

“I’m just so happy for those people down there,” he said. “When I was there, they had like a big season ticket waiting list. It was cool to play for the Redskins, right? I went to a game a couple years ago. The stadium is half full and out of the half people that are there, half of them were for the other team. I mean, I’ve never seen in pro sports that erosion of a fan base. They have single-handedly brought it back now.” Magic Johnson’s leadership has been pivotal in re-energizing the franchise.

His passionate post on social media following the Commanders’ NFC Championship loss showcased both pride and optimism. “We’re only in the second year of rebuilding the Commanders franchise—and look how good the season was!” Johnson wrote. Johnson’s credit didn’t stop at the team.

He extended gratitude to head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters. Besides, he highlighted their contributions to building a winning culture. The Commanders fell short in the NFC Championship. But both Tucker and Johnson’s reflections underscore a renewed sense of hope and purpose within the franchise.

As Tucker said, “the future is bright.” And fans would hope for it to only get brighter.