The Washington Commanders are heading into a pivotal offseason, and new general manager Adam Peters has his work cut out for him. After a 5-12 campaign that fell far short of expectations, the franchise is staring down a roster in need of a serious overhaul-starting with a defense that simply didn’t hold up its end of the bargain in 2025.
One of the more pressing questions Peters will have to answer? What to do with safety Will Harris.
A Risk That Didn’t Pay Off
Harris was one of Washington’s headline free-agent additions last offseason, signing a two-year deal worth $8 million. On paper, it looked like a solid veteran pickup-someone who could bring experience and stability to the secondary. But things didn’t go according to plan.
Harris missed half the season with a fractured fibula, and when he was on the field, the impact just wasn’t there. His stat line-38 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble-tells the story of a player who never quite found his footing in Jack Del Rio’s system (before the coaching change). Whether it was the injury, the scheme, or just a bad fit, Harris didn’t deliver the level of play Washington needed.
Pair that with the underwhelming development of 2023 second-round pick Quan Martin, and you’ve got a safety group that was a clear liability all season long.
The Numbers Behind the Decision
Here’s where it gets tricky for Peters. Harris is set to carry a $5 million cap hit in 2026.
Releasing him would save the Commanders roughly $3.76 million, with just $1 million in dead money. That’s a decent chunk of savings for a team that needs flexibility to reshape its roster.
But cutting ties isn’t the only option.
Harris could also be dangled as a trade chip. Peters has already spent draft capital to acquire big-name veterans like Marshon Lattimore, Deebo Samuel Sr., and Laremy Tunsil.
If he wants to recoup some of those picks, moving a player like Harris-who’s on an expiring deal-could make sense. He wouldn’t bring back a high pick, but even a Day 3 selection could help Washington restock the cupboard.
Then again, there’s always the route of simply letting Harris play out the final year of his contract. That would mean banking on a bounce-back season in Year 2, ideally under a new defensive coordinator and in a healthier state. It’s not unheard of-players often need time to adjust to a new system, and Harris has flashed ability in the past.
A Bigger Picture at Safety
No matter what happens with Harris, the safety room needs a facelift. Washington can’t go into 2026 with the same group and expect different results. That likely means bringing in fresh talent-both through free agency and the draft.
Ohio State’s Caleb Downs has already been floated as a potential target with the No. 7 overall pick. If the Commanders go that route, Downs could step in and take over Martin’s role at free safety, allowing Peters to shift Martin into a backup or special teams role. Martin, entering the final year of his rookie deal, could even be a cut candidate in camp if things don’t improve.
Meanwhile, veteran Jeremy Reaves remains a valuable piece on special teams and could provide depth and leadership in the room.
What Comes Next
There’s no shortage of options when it comes to Harris, and Peters will need to weigh them carefully. Whether it’s a release, a trade, or a final audition year, the Commanders can’t afford to get this one wrong. Not after the kind of season they just had.
This offseason is about more than just patching holes-it’s about setting a new foundation. And how Washington handles the Will Harris situation will be one of the early indicators of how Peters plans to build it.