Commanders Face Crucial Roster Reset After Disappointing 2025 Season
After a 2025 campaign that fell well short of expectations, the Washington Commanders find themselves at a crossroads. What started as a promising new era under head coach Dan Quinn quickly turned into a cautionary tale about short-term roster building.
General manager Adam Peters went all-in last offseason, adding veteran talent and making aggressive trades in hopes of building on a surprise NFC Championship Game run. But instead of taking the next step, Washington stumbled-and now the front office is left to pick up the pieces.
Peters’ approach was bold, no question. He prioritized immediate success, handing out short-term deals to proven veterans and making moves that signaled a win-now mentality.
But the gamble didn’t pay off. The roster lacked depth, lacked youth, and ultimately, lacked the juice to compete down the stretch.
Now, with only two picks in the first four rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Commanders will need to be strategic. The silver lining?
They’re projected to have upwards of $100 million in cap space. That’s a massive war chest, and Peters will need every dollar to reshape a roster that simply didn’t measure up.
This offseason is about more than just plugging holes. It’s about reshaping the identity of the team-especially on defense, where newly hired coordinator Daronte Jones is expected to bring a faster, more aggressive style.
That means some tough decisions are coming. Sentiment won’t have a seat at the table.
Peters has shown he’s not afraid to make the hard calls, and this roster is going to feel that.
One of the biggest questions? What to do with Bobby Wagner.
Bobby Wagner’s Time in Washington Likely Nearing the End
When Bobby Wagner signed with Washington, it was about more than just adding a future Hall of Famer to the linebacker room. It was a culture move.
Wagner brought instant credibility, leadership, and a championship mindset to a team that desperately needed it. In his first season, he helped lay the foundation for a new standard in the locker room.
He earned every bit of the one-year deal he got to return in 2025.
But now, the reality is clear: it’s time to move on.
Wagner’s instincts and football IQ are still elite. Between the tackles, he can still bring the thunder.
But the game is changing-and it’s changing fast. Offenses are spreading defenses out, creating mismatches in space, and Wagner’s declining speed has become a glaring issue.
Opposing teams noticed. They schemed around him, targeted him in coverage, and too often, it worked.
That’s not a knock on Wagner’s legacy. He’s one of the best to ever do it at his position and was just named the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year-a testament to his impact both on and off the field.
But the Commanders need to get younger, faster, and more versatile on defense. Daronte Jones is expected to emphasize speed and creativity, and that doesn't mesh with a linebacker whose game is now more physical than fluid.
Wagner hasn’t announced any retirement plans, and he may still want to play. But if Washington is serious about building a sustainable contender, this is a move that has to be made. The Commanders need to start investing in the future, and that means saying goodbye to some big names from the past.
Wagner’s leadership helped steer the ship during a transitional period. Now, the Commanders need to find their next captain-and they’ll need to do it with a roster built for the long haul, not just a one-year run.