The Commanders spent the offseason trying to stabilize the roster, and general manager Adam Peters came out of that grind with some credit. Washington is in better shape than it was, but Jason McCourty thinks one major issue still hangs over the whole operation: Jayden Daniels needs another real weapon.
That was McCourty’s message on ESPN’s First Take, where he singled out Washington as the team that should be most aggressive about making a move.
"[Washington Commanders] are the team that I look at, if you get everybody in there, if you get another weapon, if Jayden Daniels comes back healthy, this is a team that can contend in the NFC.”
- @JasonMcCourty on the Commanders becoming a top dog in the NFC 🏈 pic.twitter.com/ch9u2dsfjS
- First Take (@FirstTake) July 9, 2026
The concern isn’t hard to understand. Terry McLaurin is still the centerpiece, but there’s real uncertainty behind him, and some of the younger options haven’t proven enough yet. Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic was among those who raised questions about how certain players looked during mandatory minicamp, and Peters doesn’t appear eager to force the issue by adding competition right now.
For the moment, Washington seems likely to let training camp sort some of this out. Once the pads come on, Peters and head coach Dan Quinn will get a much clearer read on what they actually have. If the answers aren’t good enough, that’s when a move could come.
The question is what kind of move it would be.
Brandon Aiyuk has been a noisy possibility, though the Commanders may decide the baggage is too much after he threw shade at Daniels recently. Stefon Diggs would have likely been signed already if Washington was serious about that route. There are other options out there too, and more receivers will become available before Week 1.
A trade is also on the table. Or Peters could simply stay put.
If Washington does nothing, the passing game would still have McLaurin at the center, with tight end Chig Okonkwo and running back Rachaad White expected to play major roles as well. Beyond that, the Commanders would be leaning on the rest of the receiver group to step up when called on. That means players like Treylon Burks, Luke McCaffrey, and third-round rookie Antonio Williams would need to make themselves part of the answer for offensive coordinator David Blough.
The stakes feel pretty clear. Washington won only five games last season, and another stumble would carry a lot more weight this time around. So if there’s any real doubt about Daniels’ support system, Peters may have to act.
McCourty clearly thinks so. In the end, though, the only opinions that count are the ones inside the building.
In Other News...
Commanders May Have Found The Daniels Addition This Offense Needed
Washington added another back to the mix this offseason, and the fit makes sense on paper because of the familiarity already in place with Jayden Daniels. Rachaad White has a history with the quarterback from their Arizona State days, and that kind of built-in chemistry can matter in a new offense, especially for a team looking to make life easier on its young passer while sorting out the backfield.
White has also drawn positive attention during offseason work, which only adds to the intrigue around how Washington plans to use him. The Commanders are expected to lean on a committee approach, and White looks positioned to be more than just a depth piece, giving the offense a versatile option while the rest of the rotation takes shape. [Read more 🡒]
Adam Peters Just Made Another Telling Move Behind The Scenes
The Commanders have continued to reshape their front office in quiet but meaningful ways, and the latest move adds another familiar voice around Adam Peters. After Scott Fitterer departed for Athletes First, Washington brought in a new senior personnel executive with a background that should fit the way Peters likes to build a staff.
What makes the addition notable is the connection behind it. The two had already worked together in San Francisco, giving Peters another evaluator he knows well as Washington keeps refining its personnel operation. It also comes after a recent shakeup in Minnesota, where Washingtons path opened up and created an opportunity for the Commanders to move quickly. [Read more 🡒]