Adam Peters has a tall task ahead of him this offseason - and not a lot of margin for error. After a five-win 2025 campaign, the Washington Commanders are staring at a full-scale rebuild, with holes across the depth chart and a fanbase hungry for signs of progress.
The pressure is on, and Peters knows it. With only six draft picks in his pocket - and just two in the first four rounds - he’ll need to be aggressive and efficient in free agency.
The good news? He’s got cap space to work with.
The challenge? Spending it wisely.
There’s no shortage of needs on this roster. And with new coordinators on both sides of the ball, the Commanders are essentially hitting the reset button. But amid all the change, one thing is clear: everything Washington does has to revolve around building around Jayden Daniels.
The rookie quarterback showed flashes of brilliance in 2025, particularly with his ability to push the ball downfield. But outside of Terry McLaurin, the Commanders lacked a consistent vertical threat who could stretch defenses and open up the offense. That’s where Alec Pierce enters the conversation.
The 25-year-old wideout is set to hit the open market, and he might just be the perfect fit for what Washington needs. According to CBS Sports, Pierce is one of the top free agents available this offseason - ranked sixth overall - and the Commanders are seen as an ideal landing spot. It's not hard to see why.
Pierce has quietly become one of the league’s premier deep threats. He’s led the NFL in yards per catch in back-to-back seasons, and this year, he cracked the 1,000-yard mark on just 43 receptions.
That’s not just efficient - that’s explosive. Even with Colts quarterback Daniel Jones going down with a torn Achilles, effectively derailing Indianapolis’ postseason hopes, Pierce still found a way to shine.
He’s the kind of receiver who doesn’t need volume to make an impact. He just needs a couple of shots a game - and Daniels is more than willing to take those shots. Pairing Pierce with McLaurin would give Washington a dynamic one-two punch on the outside, the kind that forces safeties to stay honest and opens up everything underneath.
Of course, talent like this doesn’t come cheap. Spotrac projects Pierce to land a four-year deal worth just under $81 million - roughly $20 million per year.
That’s a hefty price tag, but it’s the going rate for elite playmakers in today’s NFL. And unlike the contract drama that surrounded McLaurin last summer, Pierce is younger, with his best football still ahead of him.
Treylon Burks showed enough to warrant another look, but he’s not the answer on his own. If Washington wants to take a real step forward in 2026 - and give Daniels the tools he needs to elevate - this is the kind of move that signals intent.
It’s bold. It’s expensive.
But it’s also exactly the kind of swing the Commanders need to take.
New offensive coordinator David Blough would love to have a vertical weapon like Pierce in his arsenal. And you can bet Daniels would be thrilled to have a target who can take the top off a defense and turn a 50-50 ball into six points. If this deal comes together, it could be a turning point - not just for the offense, but for the entire direction of the franchise.