- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,130,601
- Reaction score
- 59
One week of NFL free agency is in the books. There was a lot of money spent over the past week, and, at least on paper, several teams got better. The Washington Commanders were one of those teams. Washington has signed 12 outside free agents thus far, and has re-signed several others, led by backup quarterback Marcus Mariota. Perhaps the most important piece of business that GM Adam Peters accomplished was agreeing to an extension with star left tackle Laremy Tunsil, which will keep him in burgundy and gold through 2028.
The Commanders went into free agency with massive holes on the roster, specifically on defense. Flush with ample cap space, Peters went to work, signing multiple edge rushers, an interior defensive lineman, a linebacker, a cornerback and a safety. All will figure prominently into Washington's plans in 2026.
Edge rush Odafe Oweh won some of the headlines because he had the biggest deal — 4 years, $100 million — but you could make the case that some of the Commanders' other signings are equally as important.
Here are six takeaways one week into free agency.
Remember when Peters said the goal for Washington this offseason was to get younger and faster. If you look at every Commanders' signing, that holds true. Let's look at the ages of each player Washington signed:
In addition to getting younger, Peters focused on the RAS (Relative Athletic Score) numbers for many of his signings, most of whom were elite athletes.
Mission accomplished.
The problem with signing so many older players, as Washington had done in the previous two years, to patch up a bad roster Peters inherited, is that it makes the roster more prone to injury. The Commanders had injury luck on their side in 2024, but it went the other direction in 2025. Peters targeted younger, faster, and available players. When you look at most of Washington's signings, the list is filled with players who have not missed significant time due to injury. Sure, anyone can get injured at any time. But you play the numbers, and older players are at greater risk.
Going into free agency, the Commanders' weakest position was edge rusher. Not only was it weak before last season, but two of the top returning players are also coming off significant injuries. Peters is betting big on Oweh. He was a part-time player throughout his career for the Ravens, and in 2024, began taking advantage of his opportunities, setting a new career-high in sacks with 10. Sure, he had a slow start in 2025 and Baltimore traded him to Los Angeles, but he finished with a flurry, recording 7.5 sacks in 12 games and had one of the NFL's best pressure rates.
Oweh has length, elite athleticism, and is coming off his two best seasons. The arrow appears to be pointing up. It was a risk worth taking for Peters. Additionally, Washington signed Chaisson, who is also coming off his best two seasons. After being a draft bust for the Jaguars, Chaisson got his career on track when he signed with the Raiders in 2024. He parlayed that into a one-year deal with the Patriots, where he was an integral part of New England's AFC championship team. The Commanders signed Chaisson to a one-year deal and could try and make it a longer arrangement if he gets off to a good start. Chaisson can also play the run. And, he's just 26, one year younger than Oweh.
Finally, the Commanders added Omenihu. Omenihu has great size and can play inside or outside. A versatile pass rusher with recent success.
The best part of these signings for Washington is that it does not have to force the pick at No. 7 overall. The Commanders do not have to draft an edge rusher now, but it is still on the table because only Oweh is signed for multiple years. A good spot to be in.
The Commanders went hard after Alec Pierce. That means they would have had to pay him close to $30 million annually for a player with a career-high of 47 receptions. That's risky. But Pierce is different. He's a game-changing deep threat, young, great size, and the potential to take on a more significant role. He chose to remain with the Colts. Washington also pursued Romeo Doubs, but he landed with the Patriots. Eventually, the Commanders did add two receivers, Dyami Brown and Van Jefferson. Those are depth signings and change nothing. Washington likes Brown a lot. He has speed and has shown chemistry with quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Peters' aggressiveness suggests he believed Washington's two biggest weaknesses heading into the offseason were at edge and wide receiver. He addressed the edge position. He's not done at receiver. The Commanders will draft at least one wide receiver next month, potentially with the No. 7 overall pick. And that is in play whether Washington eventually lands Brandon Aiyuk or not.
Several positions are possibilities when the Commanders go on the clock at No. 7 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. Before, the best available edge rusher was the most common pick. With three pass rushers signed and Dorance Armstrong returning, that's still possible, but it's far from urgent. Signing Leo Chenal lessened the need at linebacker. The Commanders signed Nick Cross at safety. While Caleb Downs is an elite prospect, Washington does not need to force a pick there. If Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love falls to No. 7, it appears more and more likely he's the pick. He could take the offense to another level behind Daniels.
But there's a good chance he doesn't make it out of the top five. So what's next? The top receiver on the board, whether you like Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon, or Jordyn Tyson, all appear as possibilities for the Commanders now.
Not only did Washington's roster need to get younger and faster, but it simply needed better players. It's better now. How much better? We shall see. But the roster is younger, faster and better. Several of Washington's signings have a high floor, meaning they will be good, consistent players for the Commanders. However, some still have significant upside, such as Oweh, Chaisson, Chenal, Okonkwo, and Cross. If each of these players takes the next step in their respective careers, this could be a transformative offseason for the Commanders.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: 6 takeaways after first week of free agency
Continue reading...
The Commanders went into free agency with massive holes on the roster, specifically on defense. Flush with ample cap space, Peters went to work, signing multiple edge rushers, an interior defensive lineman, a linebacker, a cornerback and a safety. All will figure prominently into Washington's plans in 2026.
Edge rush Odafe Oweh won some of the headlines because he had the biggest deal — 4 years, $100 million — but you could make the case that some of the Commanders' other signings are equally as important.
Here are six takeaways one week into free agency.
Younger and faster
Remember when Peters said the goal for Washington this offseason was to get younger and faster. If you look at every Commanders' signing, that holds true. Let's look at the ages of each player Washington signed:
- EDGE Odafe Oweh: 27
- DL Charles Omenihu: 28
- EDGE K'Lavon Chaisson: 26
- LB Leo Chenal: 25
- CB Amik Robertson: 27
- S Nick Cross: 24
- DT Tim Settle: 28
- TE Chig Okonkwo: 26
- RB Rachaad White: 27
- RB Jerome Ford: 26
- WR Dyami Brown: 26
- WR Van Jefferson: 29
In addition to getting younger, Peters focused on the RAS (Relative Athletic Score) numbers for many of his signings, most of whom were elite athletes.
Mission accomplished.
Availability
The problem with signing so many older players, as Washington had done in the previous two years, to patch up a bad roster Peters inherited, is that it makes the roster more prone to injury. The Commanders had injury luck on their side in 2024, but it went the other direction in 2025. Peters targeted younger, faster, and available players. When you look at most of Washington's signings, the list is filled with players who have not missed significant time due to injury. Sure, anyone can get injured at any time. But you play the numbers, and older players are at greater risk.
Attacked the EDGE position
Going into free agency, the Commanders' weakest position was edge rusher. Not only was it weak before last season, but two of the top returning players are also coming off significant injuries. Peters is betting big on Oweh. He was a part-time player throughout his career for the Ravens, and in 2024, began taking advantage of his opportunities, setting a new career-high in sacks with 10. Sure, he had a slow start in 2025 and Baltimore traded him to Los Angeles, but he finished with a flurry, recording 7.5 sacks in 12 games and had one of the NFL's best pressure rates.
Oweh has length, elite athleticism, and is coming off his two best seasons. The arrow appears to be pointing up. It was a risk worth taking for Peters. Additionally, Washington signed Chaisson, who is also coming off his best two seasons. After being a draft bust for the Jaguars, Chaisson got his career on track when he signed with the Raiders in 2024. He parlayed that into a one-year deal with the Patriots, where he was an integral part of New England's AFC championship team. The Commanders signed Chaisson to a one-year deal and could try and make it a longer arrangement if he gets off to a good start. Chaisson can also play the run. And, he's just 26, one year younger than Oweh.
Finally, the Commanders added Omenihu. Omenihu has great size and can play inside or outside. A versatile pass rusher with recent success.
The best part of these signings for Washington is that it does not have to force the pick at No. 7 overall. The Commanders do not have to draft an edge rusher now, but it is still on the table because only Oweh is signed for multiple years. A good spot to be in.
Aggressive pursuit of WRs acknowledges need
The Commanders went hard after Alec Pierce. That means they would have had to pay him close to $30 million annually for a player with a career-high of 47 receptions. That's risky. But Pierce is different. He's a game-changing deep threat, young, great size, and the potential to take on a more significant role. He chose to remain with the Colts. Washington also pursued Romeo Doubs, but he landed with the Patriots. Eventually, the Commanders did add two receivers, Dyami Brown and Van Jefferson. Those are depth signings and change nothing. Washington likes Brown a lot. He has speed and has shown chemistry with quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Peters' aggressiveness suggests he believed Washington's two biggest weaknesses heading into the offseason were at edge and wide receiver. He addressed the edge position. He's not done at receiver. The Commanders will draft at least one wide receiver next month, potentially with the No. 7 overall pick. And that is in play whether Washington eventually lands Brandon Aiyuk or not.
Offensive player odds-on-favorite for 1st-round pick
Several positions are possibilities when the Commanders go on the clock at No. 7 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. Before, the best available edge rusher was the most common pick. With three pass rushers signed and Dorance Armstrong returning, that's still possible, but it's far from urgent. Signing Leo Chenal lessened the need at linebacker. The Commanders signed Nick Cross at safety. While Caleb Downs is an elite prospect, Washington does not need to force a pick there. If Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love falls to No. 7, it appears more and more likely he's the pick. He could take the offense to another level behind Daniels.
But there's a good chance he doesn't make it out of the top five. So what's next? The top receiver on the board, whether you like Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon, or Jordyn Tyson, all appear as possibilities for the Commanders now.
Adam Peters raised the floor
Not only did Washington's roster need to get younger and faster, but it simply needed better players. It's better now. How much better? We shall see. But the roster is younger, faster and better. Several of Washington's signings have a high floor, meaning they will be good, consistent players for the Commanders. However, some still have significant upside, such as Oweh, Chaisson, Chenal, Okonkwo, and Cross. If each of these players takes the next step in their respective careers, this could be a transformative offseason for the Commanders.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: 6 takeaways after first week of free agency
Continue reading...
