Adam Peters has a pivotal offseason ahead - and the stakes couldn’t be higher. After a breakout 12-5 campaign in 2024 that turned heads across the league, the Washington Commanders came crashing back to earth in 2025.
Injuries, regression from key young players, and an aging roster have all contributed to a disappointing 4-11 record heading into Week 17. For Peters, Year 2 on the job has been a reality check.
Now comes the hard part: reshaping a roster that showed its age and limitations all season long.
Let’s start with the obvious - this is the oldest roster in the NFL, and it played like it. Key veterans missed time, depth was tested, and the cracks began to show early. On top of that, second-year head coach Dan Quinn had to step in and take over defensive play-calling duties midseason, signaling a likely change at defensive coordinator once the offseason begins.
But here’s the silver lining: Peters is armed with a likely top-10 draft pick and plenty of cap space. That’s a strong foundation for a retooling effort.
The key will be how he spends that money. In 2025, Washington leaned heavily on one-year deals for older veterans - a strategy that didn’t age well, literally or figuratively.
This time around, Peters needs to shift focus toward young, ascending players, particularly those coming off their rookie contracts. That’s exactly what he did when he signed center Tyler Biadasz in 2024, and it’s the kind of move that needs to become the norm, not the exception.
One name to keep a close eye on: Alec Pierce. The 25-year-old wide receiver from the Indianapolis Colts might just be the kind of player who fits Washington’s timeline and needs. If you caught Monday Night Football in Week 16, you saw Pierce torch the 49ers’ secondary for two touchdowns - a performance that showcased the exact skill set the Commanders are missing opposite Terry McLaurin.
Let’s be clear: Washington needs to find a legitimate No. 2 receiver. Deebo Samuel could return, but at this stage in his career, he’s better suited for a WR3 role where he can be used creatively without having to carry the load.
Jayden Daniels, the Commanders’ young quarterback, needs more help - someone who can win on the outside, stretch the field, and take pressure off McLaurin. That’s where Pierce comes in.
At 6-foot-3 and 211 pounds, Pierce brings size, speed, and the ability to make plays downfield. He’s not just a complementary piece - he’s a potential long-term partner for Daniels.
And that chemistry matters. If Peters can land a wideout like Pierce in free agency, it could allow Washington to focus its top draft capital on the defensive side of the ball, where help is also sorely needed.
Now, Pierce’s stat line won’t blow you away at first glance. He’s coming off a season where his four catches on Monday night pushed him to a career-high 43 receptions.
He’s found the end zone four times this year, after scoring seven touchdowns last season. But here’s the kicker: he averages over 18 yards per reception for his career.
That’s elite-level explosiveness. He’s a big-play threat every time he’s on the field, and he hasn’t even been in a pass-heavy offense.
Remember, the Colts’ offense runs through All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor. Michael Pittman Jr. has been the team’s top receiving option, and he’s not a free agent until 2027.
So Pierce hasn’t exactly been featured - but that doesn’t mean he can’t be. What matters now is how teams project his upside, not just what he’s done in a run-first system.
And that projection is likely going to come with a hefty price tag. Pierce is expected to command over $20 million per year - the going rate for a young, ascending receiver with big-play ability.
So far, the Colts haven’t locked him up, and that opens the door for a team like Washington to make a move. It also raises a question: is this the kind of player Peters is willing to pay up for?
In the past, Peters has been cautious when it comes to handing out big-money deals. But this offseason might require a different approach. If the Commanders want to build around their young quarterback and avoid another year of regression, they need to invest in players who can grow with the team - not just fill a roster spot for a season.
Alec Pierce fits that mold. He’s not just a flashy name off a big Monday night game.
He’s a receiver with the tools to be a long-term difference-maker. If he hits the open market, Washington would be wise to make a serious run at him.
Because for the Commanders, this offseason isn’t just about rebounding - it’s about building something sustainable. And that starts with getting younger, faster, and more explosive. Pierce checks all those boxes.