The Washington Commanders are heading into the offseason with something every rebuilding franchise craves: financial flexibility. With a healthy chunk of cap space and a new front office led by general manager Adam Peters, the Commanders are poised to make some serious noise in what promises to be a pivotal offseason.
Let’s start with the numbers. Washington currently has $63.41 million in cap space and 52 players under contract, according to Over the Cap.
That alone gives Peters a solid foundation to work from. But there’s more.
Once the expected release of cornerback Marshon Lattimore goes through-a move that’s been looming for a while-the Commanders will free up an additional $18.5 million. That pushes their potential cap space north of $80 million, placing them among the league’s most financially flexible teams heading into free agency.
And that flexibility couldn’t come at a better time. Washington has roster holes to fill across the board-trenches, secondary, skill positions-and Peters will need every dollar to reshape this team into a contender. But there’s also a savvy move on the table that could give the Commanders even more breathing room without cutting a single player.
Enter Laremy Tunsil.
The decision to trade for the veteran left tackle during the 2025 season might go down as one of Peters' best early moves. Tunsil didn’t just hold down the blindside-he dominated.
His pass protection was elite, his run blocking punishing, and he brought a veteran presence that helped guide rookie right tackle Josh Conerly Jr. through his first NFL season. On a team that struggled in many areas, Tunsil was a rock.
Now, it’s time to pay the man.
Tunsil, who has made it known he’s looking for a long-term extension, is expected to command top-of-the-market money-potentially around $30 million per year. That’s a hefty price tag, no doubt. But when you have a young quarterback like Jayden Daniels under center, investing in elite protection isn’t just smart-it’s essential.
The good news for Washington is that locking Tunsil up long-term could actually help their cap situation in the short term. According to Over the Cap, a new deal could lower his 2026 cap hit by roughly $16.85 million. That’s a significant chunk of change that Peters could then funnel into other areas of need-whether that’s adding a playmaker on offense, bolstering the defensive front, or shoring up depth across the roster.
Of course, the back end of Tunsil’s deal would likely carry a much higher cap number, but that’s a future problem. Right now, the Commanders need flexibility, and an extension for Tunsil provides just that-along with the security of having one of the league’s premier tackles locked in for the long haul.
This is the kind of move that signals a franchise is serious about building the right way. It’s not flashy, but it’s foundational. And for a team that’s trying to reestablish its identity under a new regime, keeping a cornerstone like Tunsil in place is a smart step in the right direction.
Adam Peters has a long to-do list this offseason, and tough decisions are coming. But with cap space, a franchise left tackle in waiting for a new deal, and a clear vision for the future, Washington has the tools to start turning things around. Now it’s about execution.