It's easy to be down on the Washington Commanders these days. Expectations of going deep into the postseason have entirely fallen by the wayside, and there are now far more questions than answers about the franchise's current direction.
The Commanders are 3-9. Injuries have decimated their hopes. Aging players are regressing at an alarming rate. Young breakout candidates haven't met their billing. There were signs of life against the Denver Broncos on Sunday Night Football, but a critical offseason awaits general manager Adam Peters with many unknowns on the playing personnel.
Peters has the most pending free agents of any NFL club. He's got plenty of salary-cap space but only six draft selections — two of which are in the first four rounds. There is a lot of hard work ahead, but it hasn't been all doom and gloom by any stretch of the imagination.
Some have performed above expectations. Others have impressively met their specific targets. That shouldn't go unnoticed by Peters when the time comes to decide who stays or goes this offseason.
With this in mind, here are five Commanders players who could be one monster performance away from an offseason payday.
Commanders players who could be one monster performance away from a payday
Zach Ertz - Commanders TE
Something is preventing the Washington Commanders from getting tight end Ben Sinnott more involved this season. Some were expecting the 2024 second-round selection to possibly eat into Zach Ertz's reps as the campaign progressed, but that hasn't been the case.
Sinnott's remained on the fringes while Ertz continues to be immensely reliable as a pass-catcher and locker-room leader. He isn't getting any younger, but if he wants to keep playing beyond 2025, and his potential heir to the throne needs more time to hone his craft, the Commanders could offer him a new one-year contract to maintain some semblance of continuity around quarterback Jayden Daniels.
This could go either way. Ertz remains an accomplished performer. He's a little older and a little slower right now, but the Commanders don't have anyone better. And he's still got the fire burning brightly in an environment that galvanized his career when all hope seemed lost.
It could still go either way. It wouldn't be a surprise to see him retire or possibly take his chances elsewhere. But don't be surprised if the Commanders and Ertz can work out a short-term arrangement while also bringing Sinnott or a new arrival along in 2026.