The Washington Commanders didn’t just lose to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 16 - they got a front-row seat to their biggest problem. And if GM Adam Peters was watching closely, he saw exactly where his 2026 free agency dollars need to go.
Here’s the stat that should be keeping the Commanders’ front office up at night: Jalen Hurts was pressured on just 4 of 37 dropbacks. That’s a pressure rate of 10.8%, the lowest of his career.
Let that sink in. Against a division rival.
In December. With playoff dreams long gone and pride on the line.
Hurts, with all the time in the world, picked Washington apart underneath, completing all 15 of his passes in the short area (0-10 air yards) for 129 yards and a touchdown. He didn’t just manage the game - he dissected it, calmly and efficiently, because nobody in burgundy and gold could get close enough to make him uncomfortable.
This wasn’t a one-off. It was a painful confirmation of a season-long issue: the Commanders simply don’t have the juice up front. The pass rush is broken - and the fix can’t wait any longer.
The Sack Story: Veterans, Stopgaps, and What Could’ve Been
Washington’s pass rush has been running on fumes all year. Von Miller, at 36, leads the team with seven sacks.
That’s a testament to his professionalism and savvy, but let’s be honest - he’s not the game-wrecker he once was. He’s a complementary piece now, not the centerpiece.
Dorance Armstrong Jr. was supposed to bring some of that edge-rushing firepower, but his season-ending knee injury derailed that plan. Still, injuries alone don’t explain the lack of pressure. This is a roster that’s leaned too heavily on aging vets and bargain-bin signings to solve a premium position.
Adam Peters has done a lot right in his first year running the show, but this is the area where he can’t afford to miss again. The Commanders need difference-makers off the edge - not just guys who can hold the line, but players who can tilt the field.
The 2026 Free-Agent Market Is Loaded - Time to Strike
The good news? Help is on the way - if Peters is ready to spend.
The 2026 free-agent class is stacked with proven pass-rushers and ascending talents. And with $81.9 million in projected cap space, Washington has the financial flexibility to go big.
Start with Trey Hendrickson. The four-time Pro Bowler has been a consistent disruptor and still has the ability to take over games.
He’s not just a name - he’s production, leadership, and playoff experience wrapped into one. If he hits the market, he should be at the top of Washington’s list.
Then there’s Khalil Mack, still flashing elite traits at 34. But the Commanders have already played the “aging pass-rusher” game with Miller. It’s time to find players with more tread left on the tires.
That’s where Odafe Oweh comes in. Since being traded from the Ravens to the Chargers at the deadline, Oweh has flipped the script on his career.
Seven sacks in 10 games with L.A. - that’s not just a hot streak, it’s a player finally putting it all together. At 27, he’s entering his prime, and if the Chargers let him test the market, there will be a line of teams ready to pounce.
Washington should be one of them.
Pressure Isn’t Optional - It’s Foundational
You don’t win in today’s NFL without getting after the quarterback. That’s not just coach-speak - it’s reality. The Commanders have seen firsthand what happens when you can’t generate pressure: opposing QBs get comfortable, short throws turn into long drives, and your defense wears down fast.
This isn’t about scheme or effort - it’s about talent. And the Commanders are overdue for an infusion of it along the edge.
Adam Peters has the cap space. He has the need. And now, thanks to Jalen Hurts and the Eagles, he has the clearest possible reminder of what happens when you don’t have a pass rush.
If Washington wants to flip the script in 2026, it starts with fixing the front four. No more half-measures.
No more hoping veterans can turn back the clock. It’s time to invest in players who can make life miserable for opposing quarterbacks - and finally turn this defense into a force again.