The Washington Commanders didn't come close to meeting expectations in 2025. One can place much of the blame on the countless injuries to key personnel that held them back, but even in the summer, something didn't feel right about this squad.
General manager Adam Peters hit on his two trades, but gambling on free-agent veterans past their prime failed. The Commanders need a complete change in approach this offseason. Fans are demanding aggressive, bold moves to help them get back on the right path to prosperity.
Peters knows what should be done. Washington cannot be the NFL's oldest roster in 2026. They have to get younger, faster, and more dynamic. It'll be a difficult challenge, but the Commanders have plenty of financial resources to fill key holes with veterans boasting long-term upside.
Fans are cautiously optimistic. They remain confident in Peters, but the pressure has increased. His job security will change completely if he cannot find the correct reinforcements in the coming months. That's only going to raise his level of ruthlessness, so almost everyone should be on edge before another roster revamp.
With this in mind, here are 10 Commanders players who may not survive Peters' upcoming overhaul when it's all said and done.
Commanders players whose jobs may not survive Adam Peters' offseason overhaul
Nick Allegretti - Commanders OL
Chris Paul played well enough for a new financial commitment from the Washington Commanders. His pass protection from the left guard position was much improved. Although there is some work ahead to improve his run blocking, maintaining continuity on the offensive line is paramount amid widespread changes.
If Paul gets another deal in Washington, all five starting linemen will return. That stability is everything in the offensive trenches, which is only going to help quarterback Jayden Daniels bounce back. It's the Commanders' options behind the starting unit that raise concern.
Most veteran backups are free agents. Andrew Wylie might be re-signed if he doesn't get a better offer, but there is just no telling for sure. There is also a complex question to answer regarding Nick Allegretti.
Does it work for the Commanders to have a versatile understudy costing more than $7 million against the salary cap, or can they find better for cheaper with the savings attached to his early release?
The Commanders have enough spare salary-cap space to move forward with Allegretti's contract before moving on in 2027. They could just as easily make him surplus to requirements, depending on what bodies come into the building through free agency and the draft.
Jonathan Jones - Commanders CB
The Washington Commanders have some real uncertainty in their cornerback room heading into Adam Peters' third recruitment period at the helm. Fans are expecting the front-office leader to be aggressive in his quest to solidify the unit, especially given how much emphasis Daronte Jones will place on creating turnovers under his leadership.
Mike Sainristil and Trey Amos are going to play a lot, but that's about all fans can say with confidence. Four-time Pro Bowl corner Marshon Lattimore is almost guaranteed to be cut with $18.5 million in savings. Most others who logged prominent reps last season are now free agents.
Perhaps one or two will be re-signed. In Jonathan Jones' case, given his lack of legitimate size and advancing years, he could be forced to explore other employment avenues when the free-agent market begins.
Jones dealt with some injury problems last season. Aside from a few flashes, the production was wildly inconsistent. And he's not done enough to cement his place in Washington's defensive revolution.
Will Harris - Commanders S
The Commanders are looking for versatility and physicality from their defensive backs in Daronte Jones' new system. Even though the coordinator singled out Will Harris as someone who could play a role, that should not prevent general manager Adam Peters from finding a suitable replacement at some point during the offseason.
Harris was the man hand-picked by the Commanders to replace Jeremy Chinn. Peters didn't want to pay the dynamic safety what the Las Vegas Raiders were willing to offer. One year later, this looks like a grave error in judgment.
Washington's defense greatly missed his presence. Chinn put together an outstanding season with the Raiders, and Harris struggled for consistency. He also suffered some injury problems, which could give him the benefit of the doubt when push comes to shove.
Jones wasn't going to outright say any players were in jeopardy. He was a beacon of positivity in front of the media, but that opinion could be very different behind the scenes. Harris could be cut if the desired roster enhancements arrive.
Shy Tuttle - Commanders DL
Daronte Jones is projected to make substantial changes to Washington's defense. The new defensive coordinator sees potential in the group, but for his concepts to work, a major overhaul of the playing personnel is required.
If Jones switches the Commanders' primary defensive alignment to a 3-4 base, the nose tackle position becomes integral. Washington needs a genuine space-eater capable of absorbing double teams to free up space for others. Looking at the options currently available, nobody jumps off the page for that role.
Javon Kinlaw and Daron Payne will probably be the 3-4 defensive ends, with Johnny Newton coming in on pass-rushing situations. Shy Tuttle spent two seasons as the nose during his time with the Carolina Panthers, but his inconsistency and lack of legitimate size or strength proved extremely problematic.
Tuttle joined the Commanders late in the campaign after his departure from the Tennessee Titans. He should not be on the roster in 2026.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. - Commanders RB
David Blough acknowledged that the Washington Commanders need more at the running back position next season. He wants more stability and explosiveness within the room. Jacory Croskey-Merritt has a role to play, but it seems as if all bets are off for the rest.
Most fans thought Chris Rodriguez Jr. would get another go-around with the franchise. The 2023 sixth-round pick still might, and it's pretty easy to keep him around. Even so, Blough's comments were enough to throw some doubt on this possible outcome.
Rodriguez once again flashed promise as an aggressive runner in 2025. His contact balance continues to progress, and he looks far more comfortable when significant responsibilities come his way. He'll never be an elite runner, but he's consistent enough.
The Kentucky product is an exclusive rights free agent, so the Commanders could tender an offer. But if Blough doesn't see a role for him, Washington will move on.
Nick Bellore - Commanders LB
The Commanders' roster is old; very old. It was the oldest in the league last season, and they played like it. Getting more dynamic should be the primary objective for general manager Adam Peters with the resources at Washington's disposal this offseason.
For all of Washington's faults last season, the special-teams unit performed well. Nick Bellore was a big part of that, but it remains to be seen whether he'll get the chance to stick around on the final year of his deal.
Bellore offers nothing on the linebacker rotation. He'll be 37 before the 2026 campaign, and the Commanders have several exciting young depth pieces who can provide energy on special teams.
Washington doesn't need the $1.95 million it would save by cutting the two-time Pro Bowler with one year remaining on his deal. However, the projected upcoming youth movement makes his situation extremely precarious.
Jacob Martin - Commanders DE/OLB
Daronte Jones is planning to move forward with a more explosive, physical, and creative defense. The alignments will be interchanging, but there will be an emphasis on speed and violence. After how things unfolded for this unit during the two years under Joe Whitt Jr., no fan should be complaining about that.
Jones is projected to switch the Commanders into a 3-4 base front, which will be adaptable depending on the situation. General manager Adam Peters must significantly enhance the personnel to ensure these changes go well. Very few should consider their roles safe.
Jacob Martin is an interesting case. He's nowhere near big enough to be a 3-4 defensive end. Still, he could end up being a solid rotational 3-4 outside linebacker. He's not a world-beater by any stretch of the imagination, but he could get another one-year deal if the money works.
Martin's inability to set clean edges against the run is a problem. If the Commanders can find an upgrade, they should.
Deebo Samuel Sr. - Commanders WR
The Washington Commanders need more firepower around Jayden Daniels in the passing game. David Blough plans to make Terry McLaurin a focal point, which is the right approach. But to avoid placing too much pressure on the second-team All-Pro, complementary options are required.
Luke McCaffrey and Jaylin Lane should be on the roster. Their roles haven't been determined yet, but competition is coming. Then there is the complex issue with Deebo Samuel Sr. to factor in.
The Commanders got some decent returns for the fifth-round pick they gave up for Samuel in an offseason trade last year. He stayed focused and professional as all around him crumbled. The South Carolina product might not be the explosive force of old, but he's solid enough.
Samuel knows this is probably his last chance to secure a lucrative free-agent deal. That may not fit into the Commanders' plans when push comes to shove.
Jeremy McNichols - Commanders RB
As previously mentioned, new offensive coordinator David Blough wants more in the running back room. The rookie play-caller believes seventh-round pick Jacory Croskey-Merritt can continue his encouraging development, potentially into a future RB1 option. At the same time, that won't be enough if he wants the changes in schematic concepts to work.
Exclusive rights free agent Chris Rodriguez Jr. faces an anxious wait before his fate is determined. One couldn't guarantee that veteran Jeremy McNichols will be back either, although the Commanders value his leadership and special-teams production highly.
Much like Nick Bellore, the Commanders have younger and more dynamic options to assist on special teams. If Washington can find the required upgrade on McNichols, they won't hesitate. Those in power might give him another one-year deal, but this won't come with any guarantees about his role moving forward.
Marcus Mariota - Commanders QB
Jayden Daniels is entering his third season, so he no longer needs a mentor-type presence alongside him in the quarterback room. That could make this a good time for the Commanders and Marcus Mariota to go their separate ways this offseason.
Mariota played more than he probably envisaged in 2025. Daniels turned out just seven times and only completed four contests due to various frustrating injuries. The veteran got a chance to shine in a starting role once again, and although there were a few bright moments, the limitations are obvious at this late stage of his playing career.
The former Oregon standout wants to see what else is out there in free agency. There are a lot of quarterback-needy teams around the league, and this isn't expected to be a strong draft class. Several starters could be available via trade, but the compensation and salary commitments attached could be off-putting.
Either way, it wouldn't be a shock to see Mariota sign elsewhere without much resistance from the Commanders.