The Washington Commanders are heading into the season with more questions than they’d like, and general manager Adam Peters isn’t backing off his confidence.
After a rough finish to training camp and the preseason - including the joint practice and warm-up game against the Baltimore Ravens - the mood around Washington has cooled. Peters, though, tried to steady things when he spoke after the team’s initial 53-man roster was set.
“Obviously our fans are passionate, and you love to have passionate fans; that’s great. But there’s a lot of stuff we’re doing here that maybe they don’t see, and a lot of things I’m excited to see in a couple weeks. We couldn’t be more thrilled than to start our season where we’re starting it, and it’s going to be a great challenge, and we’re looking forward to it.”
That’s a strong public stance from Peters, especially with the Commanders staring at a difficult opening stretch. It also comes at a time when the franchise badly needs this season to look different from the last one.
There’s still reason for optimism in Washington. The roster has talent, the two new coordinators bring fresh ideas, and third-year quarterback Jayden Daniels is healthy again. That combination at least gives the Commanders a chance to stay in the mix.
But the concerns are real, too. Head coach Dan Quinn said the team is still sorting out the center position, which is not where you want to be this close to the start of the season.
Nick Allegretti is back at practice, but he lost important summer reps after a calf strain on the first day of training camp. Behind him, sixth-round rookie Matt Gulbin is next up, though he is viewed more as a developmental piece.
Injuries are adding to the uncertainty. Left tackle Laremy Tunsil and defensive lineman Johnny Newton are dealing with long-term absences. Cornerback Trey Amos will miss the first four games of 2026 after going to injured reserve, and edge rusher Odafe Oweh’s Week 1 status is still unclear.
That leaves Washington in a familiar spot: trying to prove it can handle adversity before the speculation around major changes starts to grow louder.
Peters and Quinn both understand the pressure. They also understand what fans want most, and it’s not speeches.
It’s production.
Peters is still optimistic, and Quinn sounds just as steady. If the Commanders can keep their best players healthy and get solid work from their new play-callers, then this should be a more competitive team. Anything less would be a disappointment.
In Other News...
Commanders Quietly Added A Tackle Who Could Solve A Real Depth Concern
The Commanders roster cleanup after cutdown day included a little bit of housekeeping and a little bit of insurance, with Washington bringing back 12 players it had previously waived or released while also adding five outside players to the 53-man roster and practice squad mix. Among the new faces was veteran cornerback Isaac Yiadom, but the more intriguing addition for Washingtons depth chart may be offensive tackle Esa Pole, a name with a recent NFL trail and a clear path to matter if the line gets tested.
Pole arrived with a bit of experience already in his pocket, having spent time with the Chiefs and Jets before making his NFL debut last season. He got four starts at left tackle before being waived, and Washingtons decision to bring him in now points to how much the team values having another viable option at a spot where depth can disappear quickly. The Commanders are still sorting out the final shape of that room, and Pole gives them a player whose role could grow faster than most practice squad additions. [Read more 🡒]
Former Commanders Contributor Is Latest Reminder Of Washingtons Cornerback Turnover
Noah Igbinoghenes path is a useful snapshot of how much the Commanders have churned through their cornerback room in recent seasons. He appeared in 32 games over two years in Washington before reaching free agency, and since then his route has taken him from a one-year deal with the Seahawks in March 2025 to a release during final cuts and then another one-year contract, this time with Cleveland.
For Washington, the bigger story is the revolving door behind him. The team has continued to make defensive backfield signings and practice squad additions this offseason, another sign that the cornerback spot remains a moving target as the Commanders try to settle on a long-term mix. [Read more 🡒]
Brandon Aiyuk Keeps Sending A Message Washington No Longer Needs
Brandon Aiyuk keeps putting Washington gear in front of his followers, a steady stream of social posts that has made it clear where his eyes have been aimed. The receiver remains under contract with the San Francisco 49ers, but the message from his corner has been hard to miss for a Commanders fan base that watched the offseason at receiver unfold with plenty of curiosity.
Washington, though, appears to have moved on long ago. The team never showed much interest in making Aiyuk a target, with the general manager making it clear Stefon Diggs had been the preferred veteran option from the start. Aiyuk has not applied for reinstatement, and with his NFL future still uncertain, the social media hints are starting to feel more like background noise than a path back to D.C. [Read more 🡒]