After a tough 5-12 campaign in 2025 - just one year removed from a 12-win season and an NFC Championship Game appearance - the Washington Commanders are staring down one of the most pivotal offseasons in franchise history. The fall from contender to cellar-dweller was steep, and now it's up to new GM Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn to chart a course back to relevance.
The encouraging part? Washington has the financial flexibility to make serious moves. But with over 30 internal free agents and a roster that needs an infusion of both youth and explosiveness, the front office has its work cut out before the new league year even begins in March.
Peters didn’t mince words at season’s end: the Commanders need to get “younger and faster.” And if you watched this team in 2025, that message rings loud and clear - especially on the defensive side of the ball.
Defensive Overhaul Incoming
Let’s start with the defense, which allowed far too many big plays and struggled with fundamentals like tackling. The most glaring need?
A top-tier edge rusher. Washington couldn’t generate consistent pressure in 2025, and that exposed a secondary that was already stretched thin.
The secondary itself needs a facelift. Missed assignments, poor tackling angles, and a lack of speed plagued the unit all year.
And now, on top of that, the Commanders have to prepare for life after Bobby Wagner. The veteran linebacker may be past his prime in coverage, but he remained a productive, every-down presence.
Whether Wagner retires or not, Washington appears ready to move on in favor of a younger, more dynamic option.
Offense: Fewer Holes, But Still Needs
Offensively, the to-do list is shorter, but still important. Washington needs another starting-caliber wide receiver - ideally one who can stretch the field - and a pass-catching tight end to pair with John Bates and Ben Sinnott. A new running back wouldn’t be a surprise either, especially one who can complement Jayden Daniels’ dual-threat skill set.
Time to Spend
Last offseason, Washington was relatively quiet in free agency. Outside of signing defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw, the team largely sat on its hands.
That won't cut it this time around. The defense needs an injection of talent for new coordinator Daronte Jones, and Washington simply doesn't have enough draft capital to fill every hole.
That makes free agency a crucial tool in this rebuild.
So, what might that look like? CBS Sports' Zachary Pereles recently projected landing spots for the top 50 free agents, and if his predictions for Washington come true, Commanders fans might have reason for optimism.
Alec Pierce: A Perfect Fit
Pereles links Washington to Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce, ranked No. 6 in his free agent rankings. Pierce is exactly the kind of player Peters and Quinn are looking for - 25 years old, blazing fast, and coming off back-to-back seasons leading the league in yards per catch.
He even became the first player since A.J. Brown in 2019 to top 1,000 yards while averaging over 20 yards per reception.
Adding Pierce would give Daniels the deep threat he’s been missing and provide a perfect complement to Terry McLaurin. With Pierce stretching defenses vertically, McLaurin could feast underneath, and Daniels would finally have the kind of field-stretching weapon that opens up everything else.
Quay Walker: The Wagner Successor?
Next up is Packers linebacker Quay Walker, CBS’ No. 10 free agent and another player who checks every box for Washington’s new vision. He’s 25, athletic, and has the kind of sideline-to-sideline speed that Wagner simply didn’t have at this stage of his career.
Walker, a former first-round pick, brings great size and runs like a tight end. He’s not a finished product yet - there are still parts of his game that need polish - but the upside is undeniable. If Washington is serious about getting faster and more dynamic on defense, Walker would be a strong start.
Isaiah Likely: A New Weapon at Tight End
Finally, there’s Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely, ranked No. 32 on Pereles’ list. With Zach Ertz no longer in the picture, Likely would bring a new dimension to the Commanders’ offense. He’s athletic, has solid hands, and gives Daniels a vertical option at tight end the team hasn’t had in years.
Likely missed nine games in 2025 and had a down year statistically, but the talent is there. And with Baltimore extending Mark Andrews, Likely is expected to hit the open market. In Washington, he’d slot in as the top pass-catching tight end, forming a versatile trio with Bates and Sinnott.
A New Identity
What ties all these free agent targets together? They’re young, explosive, and just finishing their rookie contracts - exactly the kind of players you want to build around. If Washington can land even two of the three, it would go a long way toward accelerating the rebuild.
Of course, there’s always the chance that some of these names get franchise tagged or re-signed. But if the Commanders are as aggressive as they need to be, they could come out of free agency with a significantly improved roster.
Pereles also made two other notable predictions: that Bobby Wagner will retire, and that wide receiver Deebo Samuel will land with the Chargers. While those moves don’t directly impact Washington’s roster-building strategy, they do help shape the larger landscape of the offseason.
Bottom line: Washington has the cap space, the front office leadership, and the urgency to make real changes. Now it’s about execution. The 2026 season may feel far away, but for the Commanders, the road back starts right now.