The Washington Commanders entered 2025 with hopes of turning the corner. Instead, they limped to the finish line-literally and figuratively-with a five-win season marred by a laundry list of injuries.
Yes, every NFL team deals with bumps and bruises over the course of a season, but no one was hit harder than Washington. The injuries didn’t just expose a lack of depth-they ripped the curtain down entirely, revealing a roster that simply couldn’t keep up.
Now, with a full offseason ahead and a new chapter on the horizon, general manager Adam Peters is approaching the rebuild with a clear-eyed focus. Sentimentality won’t factor into the equation. This is a results-driven league, and Peters knows it’s time to reshape the roster with urgency and vision.
One player who could find himself on the outside looking in is veteran defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr.
Wise joined Washington last offseason after a long stint with the Patriots, bringing with him a reputation as a dependable run defender. He wasn’t expected to be a game-wrecking pass rusher, but his ability to set a firm edge gave the Commanders something they sorely needed.
And early on, it looked like he might be a solid addition. Wise turned in a promising performance in Week 1 against the Giants, flashing the kind of discipline and toughness that had defined his time in New England.
But just one week later, everything changed. Wise suffered a significant injury in Week 2 against the Packers, logging only 11 defensive snaps before being placed on season-ending injured reserve.
It was a blow to both the player and the team. And when fellow edge rusher Dorance Armstrong Jr. also went down later in the year, Washington's defensive front was running on fumes.
That’s part of what makes this offseason so pivotal. Peters has already made it clear: the Commanders need to get younger, faster, and more explosive off the edge.
The focus now shifts toward adding dynamic pass-rushers-whether through the draft or free agency-who can grow with the team and bring long-term value. Veterans on one-year deals, especially those coming off injuries, aren’t likely to be part of that blueprint.
That puts Wise in a tough spot. Unless he’s willing to return on a veteran minimum deal with no guarantees, it’s hard to see him factoring into Washington’s future plans.
The Commanders need to swing bigger. They need players who can tilt the field, not just hold the line.
Wise’s short stint in Washington was derailed almost before it began. It’s an unfortunate break for a player who still has something to offer when healthy.
But the NFL doesn’t wait around. And for a franchise trying to climb out of the cellar, tough decisions are part of the job.
Washington’s pass rush needs a reset. And Peters is making it clear: the next wave of talent has to bring more than experience-they need to bring impact.