The Washington Commanders are staring down a critical offseason-one that could reshape the franchise for years to come. After a 2025 campaign that left little to celebrate, the organization is in full reset mode. And leading the charge is General Manager Adam Peters, who now holds the keys to a roster in flux and a coaching staff in transition.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t just a routine offseason tune-up. This is a full-blown re-evaluation of everything from top to bottom-personnel, coaching, training regimens, even travel logistics. And the ripple effects are already being felt.
Coaching Carousel Begins
Both of the Commanders’ coordinators are out, and the replacements signal a bold new direction. On offense, the team has handed the reins to a 30-year-old with minimal coaching experience-a move that raises eyebrows but also speaks to a desire for fresh ideas and a clean break from the past. On defense, the search is still ongoing, but if the new coordinator comes from outside the building, expect more turnover among the assistants.
Quarterbacks coach is one position that’s already been filled. David Blough, now part of the staff, has brought in D.J.
Williams to work with the QBs. It’s a small piece of the puzzle, but it hints at the larger overhaul in progress.
Roster Reckoning Ahead
But the most visible-and consequential-changes are coming on the field. Peters and newly hired head coach Dan Quinn are facing a roster that’s anything but settled.
By a generous count, fewer than 20 players are locked in for 2026. That leaves over 30 roster spots wide open heading into the offseason, OTAs, and training camp.
Let’s break it down.
Veterans on the Bubble
There’s a sizable group of older players-those who will be 30 or older by Week 1-who may not be back. Many of them were brought in during Peters’ 2025 push to capitalize on Jayden Daniels’ rookie contract. That all-in strategy didn’t pay off, and now those veterans are on uncertain ground.
Names like Deebo Samuel Sr., Antonio Hamilton Sr., Andrew Wylie, Nick Allegretti, and Will Harris are all in that mix. Most are pending free agents.
A few-like Allegretti and Harris-are still under contract, but that doesn’t guarantee they’ll be on the 2026 roster. Expect Peters to be aggressive in reshaping this group.
Younger Players Under Review
The tougher decisions come with the younger players, especially those who flashed potential but haven’t quite delivered.
Chris Paul and Jacob Martin are two such names. They weren’t marquee additions, but both played above expectations in 2025. The question is: how much do you invest in depth pieces who may have already hit their ceiling?
Then there’s the group of underperforming recent draft picks. Frankie Luvu and Mike Sainristil are safe-they’ve shown enough to warrant continued investment. But others, like Quan Martin, Ben Sinnott, and Johnny Newton, have yet to live up to their second-round billing.
These are the guys who were supposed to form the backbone of Washington’s future. Instead, they’re question marks.
Martin, for instance, was a Ron Rivera pick who struggled mightily in 2025. He’s still just 26 and under contract through next season, but his spot on the 2026 roster is far from guaranteed.
Big Contracts, Bigger Decisions
Then there are the high-priced veterans-the players whose contracts carry both weight and consequence.
Does Laremy Tunsil get the extension he’s looking for? He’s still one of the better tackles in the league, but at what cost?
Can the team find a way to move on from Javon Kinlaw, whose production hasn’t matched his price tag?
And perhaps the biggest question of all: does Peters explore the possibility of trading Daron Payne? That would be a seismic move, but one that could open up cap space and draft capital if the front office decides to go all-in on a longer-term rebuild.
Peters’ Moment of Truth
This is Adam Peters’ offseason. He’s shown glimpses of his philosophy since taking over, but now the decisions get real. Coaching hires, roster cuts, contract negotiations-every move he makes from here on out will shape the Commanders’ identity moving forward.
What we do know is this: Peters doesn’t hesitate once he’s made up his mind. And with so many tough calls on the table, that decisiveness might be exactly what Washington needs to navigate this pivotal moment.
The Commanders aren’t just tweaking around the edges-they’re reimagining what this team can be. And if Peters gets it right, 2025 could go down as the painful but necessary turning point that sparked a new era in D.C.