The Washington Commanders are heading into one of their most pivotal offseasons in recent memory, and new head coach Dan Quinn isn’t mincing words about what he wants. After a 2025 campaign that left fans frustrated and the roster exposed, the franchise is staring down a critical opportunity to reshape its identity - and fast.
With just six picks in the 2026 NFL Draft - only two of them coming in the top four rounds - the Commanders won’t be building their future exclusively through the draft. That puts general manager Adam Peters in the spotlight as he prepares to wield a potentially massive war chest in free agency.
If the front office clears the right contracts, Washington could be working with over $100 million in cap space. That’s a lot of room to maneuver, but as always, money alone doesn’t guarantee wins.
Quinn knows exactly what kind of talent he wants to bring in, and he laid it out clearly during an interview on The Team 980 with Kevin Sheehan. His message? Think explosiveness, think impact, and think about the moments that decide football games.
“If it was offense, someone that is adding touchdowns,” Quinn said. “And defensively, a rusher that affects the QB, knowing that you've got to go after the head of the snake.
Or a defensive player who can really guard people tight in the moment of truth throws - third-down, two-minute, into those spaces. So, those would be the three most important factors to me.”
That’s a coach with a plan - and a clear understanding of where this team fell short last season. The Commanders were one of the oldest and slowest rosters in the league in 2025, and it showed. They lacked explosion on offense, struggled to generate consistent pressure on defense, and failed to come up with stops when it mattered most.
Quinn’s priorities reflect that. He wants playmakers - guys who can flip a game with one snap.
On offense, that means someone who can get into the end zone, not just move the chains. On defense, it’s about disrupting quarterbacks and locking down in crunch time.
Third downs. Two-minute drills.
Red zone stands. That’s where games are won, and Quinn’s not interested in players who can’t deliver in those moments.
General manager Adam Peters is no stranger to roster building, and he understands the urgency. With a new defensive coordinator in Daronte Jones installing his own system, the Commanders need to find players who fit - and elevate - that scheme. That starts up front with a dynamic edge rusher, something Washington lacked last season and something fans have been begging for.
The potential release of Marshon Lattimore also opens up a big need in the secondary. With young corners like Trey Amos and Mike Sainristil in the mix, the Commanders need a true lockdown presence to anchor the defensive backfield. That’s especially important in today’s NFL, where elite receivers and high-octane passing games are the norm.
And let’s not forget about quarterback Jaydenn Daniels. Giving the young signal-caller another explosive weapon could be a game-changer. Daniels showed flashes last season, but he needs help - a reliable target who can stretch defenses and turn short throws into big gains.
Peters and Quinn appear to be on the same page, and that alignment is going to be crucial. Both coordinators - Jones on defense and David Blough on offense - will have input, but ultimately, this offseason will be defined by how aggressive the front office is willing to be.
The message from fans is clear: no more over-the-hill veterans looking for one last payday. That strategy didn’t work in 2025, and it’s not going to work now.
Washington needs youth, speed, and upside. They need players who can grow with this team, not just fill a gap for a season.
Quinn has drawn a line in the sand. He’s set the tone for what this offseason should look like.
Now it’s on Peters and the front office to deliver. If they can hit on the right free agents and inject this roster with the kind of talent Quinn’s calling for, the Commanders could be in for a serious turnaround.
But the clock is ticking. The time to act is now.