Commanders Criticized for Performative Vigil Over Washington Post Sports Layoffs

Team leaves empty seats at press conference to mourn the demise of the Post's sports coverage.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The Washington Commanders organization faced criticism for staging a performative vigil during a press conference, leaving three empty seats to mourn the recent layoffs in the Washington Post's sports department. Coach Dan Quinn expressed being "bummed" by the news, but many saw the gesture as hollow and disconnected from the team's actual on-field performance.

Why it matters

The Commanders' stunt was viewed as an empty PR move that ignored the team's own struggles on the field and their failure to connect with fans. It highlighted the growing disconnect between sports teams, the media, and their respective audiences.

The details

During a Tuesday press conference, the Commanders left three empty seats in the front row to symbolize the absence of Washington Post sports reporters, who were recently laid off after the paper shuttered its sports department. Coach Dan Quinn expressed sadness over the news, saying "Their presence is missed." However, the gesture was widely mocked as performative and disconnected from the team's own poor performance and lack of success in recent years.

  • The press conference took place on Tuesday, February 11, 2026.

The players

Washington Commanders

The professional American football team based in Washington, D.C.

Dan Quinn

The head coach of the Washington Commanders.

Washington Post

A major American daily newspaper based in Washington, D.C. that recently laid off its sports department.

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What they’re saying

“Their presence is missed.”

— Dan Quinn, Head Coach, Washington Commanders (video shared by JP Finlay)

The takeaway

The Commanders' performative gesture highlighted the growing disconnect between sports teams, the media, and their respective audiences. Rather than focusing on improving the team's on-field performance, the organization opted for a hollow PR move that was widely criticized as tone-deaf and disconnected from the real issues facing the franchise.