The Washington Commanders are heading into a pivotal offseason, and the front office-led by newly installed general manager Adam Peters-has some major roster decisions on the horizon. After a disappointing five-win season, change is not just expected, it’s necessary.
Peters has plenty of financial flexibility to work with, thanks to a slew of one-year contracts that didn’t pan out on the field but kept the long-term cap situation clean. Now, with more pending free agents than any other team in the league, the Commanders are poised for a roster overhaul.
One decision, however, seems all but made.
Andrew Wylie’s Time in Washington Nears Its End
When the Commanders signed Andrew Wylie in the 2023 free agency period, the move carried weight. He wasn’t just a solid veteran pickup-he was a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Kansas City Chiefs, reuniting with former offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy in Washington. The expectation was that he’d solidify the right tackle position and bring championship pedigree to a line that desperately needed it.
But two seasons later, Wylie’s role has shifted from starter to backup, and the writing appears to be on the wall.
The turning point came in the 2025 offseason. Washington made a bold move by trading for Laremy Tunsil to lock down the left tackle spot.
Then came the draft-day investment: using the No. 29 overall pick on Josh Conerly Jr., a promising young lineman who quickly earned the starting job opposite Tunsil. With Conerly flashing early and often, Wylie was bumped from the starting lineup before the season even began.
Still, Wylie wasn’t completely out of the picture. When Nick Allegretti struggled mightily in his transition to right guard-so much so that he was benched after just two games-Wylie was called upon to step in. He slid inside next to Conerly and held his own in a tough spot, showing the kind of adaptability that’s kept him in the league for eight seasons.
But even that stint was short-lived. Once Sam Cosmi returned from a torn ACL, Wylie was back to a reserve role. He saw occasional snaps in the second half of the season, but the rotation made it clear: he’s no longer in the team’s long-term plans.
What Comes Next?
While Wylie’s departure feels inevitable, it’s not without nuance. He’s still a valuable depth piece-versatile enough to play both guard and tackle, experienced enough to step in without the offense missing a beat. That kind of utility is gold for teams looking to shore up their offensive line depth, especially with the kind of injury attrition we see every year in the trenches.
So, there’s a good chance Wylie draws interest on the open market. He may not be a Week 1 starter anymore, but for teams in need of a swing lineman or veteran presence in the locker room, he checks a lot of boxes.
From Wylie’s perspective, this could be a chance to find a situation where he can compete for more snaps. That opportunity likely won’t come in Washington, not with Conerly and Cosmi anchoring the right side of the line. And after three years in the burgundy and gold, it feels like both sides are ready to move on.
The Bigger Picture for Washington
As Peters begins reshaping this roster, replacing Wylie shouldn’t be a tall task. His time in Washington was marked by inconsistency, and while he had his moments, the Commanders need more stability up front if they’re going to turn the corner. The foundation is already being laid with young talent like Conerly, and the front office now has the freedom to be aggressive in building around that core.
Wylie’s exit won’t be the headline of the offseason, but it’s one of many moves that will define the early days of the Adam Peters era. Expect more roster churn in the coming weeks as Washington looks to leave the past behind and start building something sustainable.