Commanders Face Crucial Defensive Rebuild as Offseason Looms
The Washington Commanders are heading into one of their most pivotal offseasons in recent memory. With the defensive coordinator search still ongoing, the bigger picture is already coming into focus - and it’s clear that newly minted general manager Adam Peters has his work cut out for him.
Armed with over $67 million in cap space - sixth-most in the league - and a staggering 30 players on expiring contracts, Peters has both the flexibility and the urgency to reshape this roster from the ground up. And after a season that saw the Commanders finish near the bottom of the league in nearly every defensive metric, that overhaul can’t come soon enough.
A Defense in Need of a Hard Reset
Let’s call it what it is: Washington’s defense wasn’t just bad in 2025 - it was historically ineffective. The unit ranked 27th in points allowed, dead last in total yards surrendered, and 31st in takeaways. That’s not a slump; that’s a system failure.
Outside of a few young players with upside - cornerbacks Trey Amos and Mike Sainristil, linebacker Jordan Magee, and edge rusher Dorance Armstrong Jr. - no one on this defense should be penciled in as a starter for 2026. Every other position is up for grabs, and that’s not an exaggeration.
Peters has been here before. When he first took over GM duties, Washington was fresh off a four-win season but flush with cap space.
That offseason, he brought in a wave of veteran talent - many of them former Pro Bowlers - and the result was a stunning turnaround that ended with a trip to the NFC Championship Game. That kind of rapid rebuild is rare, but it’s not unheard of.
And in today’s NFL, where fortunes can flip in a single offseason, it’s exactly the kind of blueprint the Commanders need to follow again - with a few key adjustments.
Time Is Ticking on Jayden Daniels' Rookie Window
The presence of Jayden Daniels on a rookie contract is a game-changer - but only if the Commanders capitalize on it. That window doesn’t stay open forever, and every dollar saved on a franchise quarterback’s deal is a dollar that can be invested elsewhere. For Washington, that investment needs to go directly into the defense.
Head coach Dan Quinn is also entering a critical year. After a rough debut season, there’s little margin for error. The pressure is on to produce results - and fast.
Tough Decisions Ahead
Some roster moves are straightforward. Marshon Lattimore is expected to be released.
Bobby Wagner, if he doesn’t choose retirement, is a likely cut as well. Daron Payne, still a valuable asset, could be traded in an effort to recoup draft capital.
Safety is another area in need of an upgrade, with Quan Martin likely to be replaced in the starting lineup.
But not every decision will be as clean-cut.
Linebacker Frankie Luvu, defensive back Will Harris, and defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw are all under contract for 2026, but each had a disappointing season. Do you roll the dice on a bounce-back year, or do you cut ties and look elsewhere? Peters will need to make those calls with a clear eye and a long-term vision.
And that’s where the real challenge lies.
Learning from the Past, Building for the Future
Two years ago, Peters leaned heavily on established veterans to plug holes and boost the team’s competitiveness. It worked in the short term - the Commanders made a deep playoff run - but the long-term cost was steep. This time around, the approach needs to be different.
Instead of aging names chasing one last payday, Washington should target younger free agents - players just coming off their rookie deals who can grow with this team. That’s how you build a sustainable contender. That’s how you maximize the window with a young quarterback and a head coach fighting to prove himself.
This offseason won’t be easy. There are more questions than answers right now. But if Peters can replicate the urgency and decisiveness he showed in his first offseason - while avoiding the pitfalls of short-term thinking - the Commanders could be back in the playoff mix sooner than most expect.
The rebuild starts now. And with cap space to burn, roster spots to fill, and a defense in desperate need of identity, the Commanders are about to find out just how quickly things can change in the NFL - again.