Commanders Face Critical Offseason as Adam Peters Prepares for Franchise-Defining Stretch
With the Washington Commanders sitting at 3-10, the focus has already shifted from the field to the front office. After a surprise run to the NFC Championship just last season, the fall from grace has been steep-and swift. Now, general manager Adam Peters is staring down the most pivotal offseason of his tenure, one that will shape the trajectory of the franchise for years to come.
Peters, entering his third offseason at the helm, has a full plate. The roster needs a hard reset in several areas, and while there’s cap space to work with, draft capital is limited.
Only six picks are currently on the board for the 2026 NFL Draft, and just two of those come in the first four rounds. That’s not a lot of ammunition for a team that’s clearly in need of reinforcements across the board.
Defense Could Be the Draft Priority
If there’s one side of the ball that screams for attention, it’s the defense. ESPN’s Dan Graziano noted that he wouldn’t be surprised if Washington leans heavily into defensive talent come draft weekend. And honestly, it makes sense.
The Commanders need help at every level-edge rushers, linebackers, secondary. You name it, they need it.
The unit has looked old and slow for most of the season, and the younger players who were supposed to take a leap have either plateaued or regressed. There’s been a noticeable lack of playmakers, and the defense has struggled to generate stops in key moments.
That’s not a sustainable formula, and Peters knows it. He can’t afford to bank on internal development alone. This is the kind of situation that calls for bold moves-whether that’s spending big in free agency, trading down in the draft to recoup picks, or swinging for a defensive cornerstone with what could be a top-five selection.
Draft Strategy Hinges on Free Agency
Of course, a lot of this depends on what happens in March. If Peters can address some of the defense’s needs in free agency-perhaps by bringing in an established pass rusher or a veteran presence in the secondary-it could shift the draft strategy. But if those holes remain unfilled, the Commanders might have no choice but to go all-in on defense come April.
The challenge is that Washington doesn’t currently own a second- or fourth-round pick, with both having been dealt away, including in the Laremy Tunsil trade. That puts even more pressure on Peters to nail his early selections-or find a way to trade back and accumulate more assets.
Time for Ruthless Roster Decisions
One thing is clear: the Commanders can’t afford to be sentimental. This roster needs a shake-up, and that means making some tough calls.
Who’s staying? Who’s part of the long-term vision?
Who’s just taking up space on the depth chart? Peters has to be decisive, and he has to be right.
The grace period from last season’s playoff run is still lingering, but it won’t last forever. Fans are passionate, and they’ve seen enough losing football this year to demand answers.
Peters earned trust by helping guide the team to the NFC title game in Year 1. But another offseason of misfires could quickly undo that goodwill.
The Road Ahead
There’s no sugarcoating it: this is a massive offseason for the Commanders. The team needs a clear identity, a revamped defense, and a plan that extends beyond short-term fixes. Peters has the opportunity-and the pressure-to reshape the roster in a meaningful way.
With a high draft pick likely and cap space to spend, the tools are there. Now it’s about execution. The clock is ticking, and the future of the franchise is very much in play.