Dorance Armstrong Jr. - Commanders OLB
Veteran edge rusher Dorance Armstrong Jr.'s breakout season in 2025 ended with a torn ACL. The Washington Commanders didn't get far without him, but it only raises the stakes further in a contract year.
Armstrong has talent. He's got the size, bend, and dynamism to be impactful as a 3-4 outside linebacker in Daronte Jones' scheme, but the Commanders didn't have the luxury of waiting around.
Adam Peters strengthened the edge this offseason. Armstrong is also suspended for the first game of the campaign, so he's already playing catch-up. And if he wants to earn another contract in Washington, the Kansas product cannot afford any more setbacks from here on.
Dyami Brown - Commanders WR
The Commanders gave wide receiver Dyami Brown an offseason lifeline after his one season with the Jacksonville Jaguars didn't go as planned. Though surprising, his performances throughout the summer were enough to see him through to the 53-man roster.
Standing out in the summer is never an issue for Brown. But now comes the hard part.
Brown must raise his consistency in a game-day setting. His previous chemistry with quarterback Jayden Daniels and high work ethic got him another shot. But if he wants to carve out a longer-term future in Washington, producing the goods when targets come his way is critical.
Daron Payne - Commanders DL
Adam Peters didn't trade or release defensive lineman Daron Payne this offseason. He also didn't offer him an early extension, so the Commanders have adopted a wait-and-see approach before giving him another lucrative financial commitment.
Payne was in a similar situation in 2022, when he gained 11.5 sacks and made his only Pro Bowl appearance. Expecting the same level of production is unrealistic, but the former Alabama game-wrecker looks explosive and ready to make a difference in Daronte Jones' 3-4 base system.
Considering the money it might take to keep Payne around, the Commanders were wise to wait. What comes next is up to the player.
Marcus Mariota - Commanders QB
The Commanders brought veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota back for a third season. He missed most of the preseason due to injury, but the respected veteran is expected to be a capable backup to franchise player Jayden Daniels once again.
Mariota saw more time on the field than Washington would have wanted in 2025, and his performances were inconsistent. He's an understudy and not much more at this stage of his playing career, and if seventh-round rookie Athan Kaliakmanis keeps developing, there may not be any more use for the Oregon product as the team's No. 2 option in 2027.
That's for the future. For now, Mariota will fill his role. And he'll do it well.
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