Commanders season opener in 8 days: Washington’s best No. 8

Commanders Wire continues a countdown to Washington’s season opener for 2023 in 8 days. Who was the team’s best player wearing No. 8?

Three players stand above all others who have worn No.8 in franchise history.

Mark Brunell (2004-06) came to Washington following ten seasons in the NFL at Green Bay and Jacksonville. In his three Washington seasons, Brunell was ages 34-36. He started 33 games, and completed 542 passes for 6,033 passes, 38 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. He led 3 fourth-quarter comebacks and 5 game-winning drives. Brunnell was the quarterback in the last playoff game won by Washington, a 17-10 win over Tampa Bay in the 2005 playoffs. In 2006, Brunell set a then-NFL record when he completed 22 consecutive passes against the Houston Texans.

Chip Lohmiller (1988-94) was drafted by Washington 55th overall in the 1988 NFL draft. The former Minnesota Gopher was a kicker who memorably enjoyed being physical and getting involved on kickoff coverage.

Lohmiller made the NFL’s longest field goal in 1990 (56 yards), and he connected on the most successful field goals in 1991 (31) and 1992 (30). Lohmiller was also the beneficiary of a very good Washington offense, as he led the NFL in field goals attempted four consecutive seasons (1989-92). He was All-Pro 2nd Team in the Super Bowl Championship 1991 season, where he also made all 56 of his extra-point attempts.

Lohmiller was released during the 1995 training camp and kicked one season each for the Saints and Cardinals. His father, having previously been a firefighter, Lohmiller, after football, jumped into the same arena, working up to fire chief, serving on a couple of state fire committees, and owning a fire training company.

Kirk Cousins (2012-17) was surprisingly drafted in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL draft. Washington had taken Robert Griffin second overall in 2012. He wore jersey No. 12 his first two seasons (2012-13), then switched to No. 8 for the 2014-17 seasons.

The former Michigan State Spartan started all 16 games in his last three seasons in Washington. Cousins passed for over 4,000 yards three consecutive seasons, leading Washington to their last winning records in 2015 (9-7) and 2016 (8-7-1). He led the NFL in completion percentage in 2015 (69.8). In 2017, he led the NFL in game-winning drives.

In 2015, GM Scot McCloughan went to Bruce Allen and Daniel Snyder, informing and persuading them it was time to move on from Robert Griffin to Cousins. Then during the season, he told Allen and Snyder the team should extend Cousins immediately. But they thinking they knew better, did not, even offering a contract extremely below his market value. Cousins departed, and Washington has yet to have a winning record since.

Story originally appeared on Commanders Wire