Five Commanders Players Who Could Be in Trouble Heading Into 2026
As the 2026 offseason looms, the Washington Commanders find themselves at a crossroads. The rebuild is no longer theoretical - it’s here, and it’s demanding answers. With a roster that’s underperformed, a locker room that’s felt the weight of inconsistency, and a front office flush with cap space but short on draft capital, the pressure is mounting.
Adam Peters, entering a critical phase of his tenure, faces a tall task. The Commanders are projected to have north of $100 million to spend in free agency, which gives them the flexibility to be aggressive.
But with only six draft picks and the highest number of pending free agents in the league, every decision carries extra weight. The margin for error is razor-thin.
This roster needs a reset - plain and simple. Outside of a few cornerstone pieces, no one should feel safe.
Injuries have played a role in the team’s struggles, sure, but the cracks were already showing. Veterans have faltered, young players have stalled, and the overall standard just hasn’t been good enough.
With that in mind, here are five Commanders players who may be closer to the chopping block than anyone wants to admit - starting with a defensive lineman whose development hasn’t gone according to plan.
Johnny Newton - Defensive Line
Let’s talk about Johnny Newton - a player the Commanders hoped would be a building block on the defensive front. Drafted 36th overall in 2024, Newton arrived with high expectations after a standout college career at Illinois.
He was supposed to be a disruptor, a game-changer in the trenches. But nearly two years into his NFL journey, the reality hasn’t matched the projection.
Right now, Newton looks more like a rotational piece than a rising star. That’s not what Washington signed up for with a high second-round pick.
His struggles against the run have been well-documented, and the team’s recent decision to claim Shy Tuttle off waivers - following Eddie Goldman’s move to injured reserve - says a lot. If the staff had full confidence in Newton’s ability to step up, that move likely doesn’t happen.
And it’s not just the run game. Newton hasn’t flashed much in pass-rushing situations either.
There have been moments - glimpses of the player he was in college - but they’re few and far between. The question now becomes whether this is a scheme fit issue, a confidence problem, or a misfire in talent evaluation.
The upside is still there. You don’t dominate Big Ten offensive lines by accident.
But the NFL is a different beast, and Newton hasn’t found his footing. With a pivotal third season on deck in 2026, the clock is ticking.
If he doesn’t show real growth - and fast - he could find himself on the wrong side of the roster bubble.
This isn’t about writing him off. It’s about recognizing that the patience window is closing. Newton needs to make a leap, or the Commanders will be forced to look elsewhere for answers on the defensive line.
More names could follow Newton into uncertain territory, but his situation is one of the clearest examples of how quickly things can change in the NFL. Washington’s front office has some big decisions to make - and Newton’s future will be one of the more intriguing ones to watch.