The Washington Commanders laid out a plan last week heading into free agency. General manager Adam Peters has more than $80 million in cap space and is focused on getting “younger and faster.”
The Commanders entered free agency with huge holes on the roster, especially on defense. Offensively, the main focus is the wide receiver position. Peters made a big move to acquire Alec Pierce, who then opted to return to the Colts on a four-year, $114 million contract. Washington also worked to sign Romeo Dubs before choosing the New England Patriots.
advertise
Peters was equally aggressive on defense, signing a high-end player and spreading the money among several younger, faster players with room for upside on their second contracts. Here are some notable signings from Washington.
There are others, including several key re-signings such as quarterback Marcus Mariota and guard Chris Paul. The Commanders also extended the contract of five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil.
Washington’s spending spree has won praise around the league.
CBS Sports’ Garrett Podell recently graded all 32 NFL teams and gave the Commanders a B+ grade.
The Commanders didn’t go crazy offensively. Quarterback Jayden Daniels signs former Arizona Sun Devils teammate Rachad White to one-year contract, a key improvement in the running game
After being traded to the Chargers, Odafe Oweh completed 7.5 sacks between Weeks 6 and 18, ranking 15th in the league. He is only 27 years old and meets the goal of rejuvenation. Ovie set a Chargers postseason single-game record with three sacks of Derek Meyer in Los Angeles’ first-round playoff loss, signaling his potential to become the team’s top pass rusher. With the aging Bobby Wagner clearly a few steps behind last season, Chenard’s elite athleticism is exactly what the midfield needs. Settle and Robertson are likely to start, along with Chaisson and safety Nick Cross, one of the best run safeties in the league.
Washington still needs some receivers outside of Terry McLaurin, but general manager Adam Peters has done a good job of quickly reshaping his defense.
Peters enters free agency with a strong plan. And, for the most part, he crushed it. While the failure to sign Pierce and (to a lesser extent) Dubs and center Tyler Lindbaughn was disappointing, the Commanders have addressed nearly every other issue. These free-agent moves allow Peters to focus strictly on the best players available in next month’s 2026 NFL Draft rather than forcing a draft at a position of need.
advertise
With defense getting the most attention in free agency, don’t be surprised if the offensive playmaker becomes the seventh overall selection. Peters’ work in free agency makes that more feasible.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: High marks for defensive upgrades in free agency