The Washington Commanders are at a crossroads, facing crucial decisions about their defensive lineup. With the offseason in full swing, one pressing question looms: Will defensive end Deatrich Wise return to the squad?
General Manager Adam Peters has a challenging task ahead. The Commanders are in dire need of quick, dynamic pass rushers, especially after a tough 2025 season where they surrendered more yards than any other NFL team.
Their defense ranked second-to-last in net yards per passing play, and they tied with the Colts for the most first downs allowed via the pass. Simply put, the pass rush needs a serious upgrade.
Jacob Martin led the charge with 18 QB hits last season, but the team is likely to move on from veteran players like Von Miller, Preston Smith, Jalyn Holmes, DeMarcus Walker, and Wise, all of whom are over 30. The focus seems to be on retaining younger talents such as Martin, Dorance Armstrong, Javontae-Jean Baptiste, and Drake Jackson. Martin, a free agent, is someone Washington is keen to keep, and Peters is expected to bring in a veteran and draft a rookie to bolster the defensive end position.
Wise's season was cut short by a significant quad injury in Week 2 against Green Bay, a blow to the team as he was expected to fortify the run defense. While he may not be in the plans as a starter, there’s a possibility he could return as a depth option, provided he agrees to a backup role.
In summary, if Wise is open to a more modest, team-friendly one-year deal, he might just find himself back with the Commanders, contributing as a reliable backup.