The Washington Commanders were among the NFL's biggest underachievers in 2025. It was a deeply disappointing campaign, bringing everyone associated with the franchise crashing back down to earth after their remarkable run to the NFC Championship game in head coach Dan Quinn's first season at the helm.
Now, it's time to refresh, refocus, and do what's necessary to get this ambitious project back on track toward prosperity.
Quinn has two new coordinators after parting ways with Kliff Kingsbury and Joe Whitt Jr. General manager Adam Peters is also expected to make substantial alterations to the playing personnel before preparations for the 2026 campaign gather pace.
Things are going to look a lot different, that's for certain. Peters only has six picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, but the front-office leader could have upwards of $100 million to spend in free agency to make the moves needed to get the Commanders on a sounder footing. And he will need to maximize every possible resource as pressure builds.
Peters also has some tricky problems to figure out with those already around. Players under contract will be released, but there are a few trickier conundrums for the Commanders to navigate that fans should keep a close eye on.
With this in mind, here are five delicate contract situations that are suddenly on the clock after a wasted year for the Commanders in 2025.
Delicate Commanders contracts that are suddenly on the clock after a wasted year
Javon Kinlaw - Commanders DL
When the Washington Commanders gave defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw a three-year, $45 million contract with $30 million guaranteed, the move was mocked by fans and experts alike. One year later, the decision already looks like a grave error of judgment.
Kinlaw's brash talk wasn't backed up much on the field. He failed to record a single sack, and his lack of consistency mirrored what the former South Carolina standout has endured throughout his career to date. It became an ongoing source of frustration, prompting fans to demand change.
The Commanders didn't have the personnel to support Kinlaw in making the desired alterations. He is now counting $16.2 million on Washington's salary cap this season, which is way above his performance levels. Unfortunately, the contract's structure makes it financially infeasible to part ways with him this offseason.
There is no real out on his deal until 2027. Kinlaw could improve under new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones, but fans are not holding out much hope after this transaction quickly blew up in Adam Peters' face.
Tyler Biadasz - Commanders C
The Washington Commanders' offensive line was a rare positive area of the roster. Although the unit went through significant early upheaval, everyone acquitted themselves well, providing a solid base for new offensive coordinator David Blough to work with.
If left guard Chris Paul is extended, all five of Washington's starting offensive linemen will be back in 2026. This continuity is essential and equally favorable. Offensive line coach Bobby Johnson may have been let go, but the players' cohesion remains intact.
The glue that holds it all together is Tyler Biadasz. He's been a rock at the center position over the last two seasons, developing strong pre-snap chemistry with Jayden Daniels while also providing solid, if unspectacular, protection.
Biadasz finished the campaign on injured reserve, but there are no real long-term concerns. The veteran lineman has one more year remaining on his deal, counting $10.98 million against the salary cap. What the Commanders need to figure out is whether the former Wisconsin standout is worthy of another extension ahead of time.
That is more debatable. Biadasz won't be forcing the issue, so he'll be more than happy to play out the last year before taking things further. And if he performs well over the early stages of the campaign, the Commanders could always extend him in-season.
Daron Payne - Commanders DL
Veteran defensive tackle Daron Payne will once again be the Commanders' highest salary-cap number in 2026, standing at $27.95 million. Considering his production and lack of consistency, some sections of the fan base want general manager Adam Peters to cut the cord.
That doesn't appear likely, according to reports. They suggest that the Commanders' discussions with Payne have centered around playing out the final year of his deal without an extension, release, or restructure. Although disappointing to those who want a change in approach, it does make sense.
As stated previously, the big-money move to acquire Javon Kinlaw was a disaster. Johnny Newton looks like a pass-rush specialist and nothing more. Payne might not be a world-beater either, but removing him from the equation would leave another gaping hole to fill.
Washington is also in a strong enough financial position to absorb this financial sum before taking things further. That may end up costing more in the long run, but his Pro Bowl campaign in 2022 also seems like an anomaly rather than the norm.
If things don't go well for the Commanders, Peters could always try to flip Payne before the 2026 trade deadline. But extending him in advance is out of the question.
Frankie Luvu - Commanders LB
Frankie Luvu looked like an absolute superstar during his first season with the Washington Commanders. He was a high-priority target for general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn during their first free agency, and he turned down offers from elsewhere to join this ambitious project.
Luvu formed a ferocious second-level partnership with Bobby Wagner. Both earned second-team All-Pro honors and became inspirational forces behind the Commanders' surge to the NFC Championship game. Unfortunately, things didn't go as well for either this time around.
Wagner's age saw him become more exposed than ever in space. Washington's injury crisis forced Luvu to spend more time on the edge, which he wasn't truly comfortable with. Moving him back to an off-ball linebacker role in 2026 is crucial, which should be a simple task for new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones to figure out.
The former Washington State standout has one more year and no guaranteed money left on his deal. Luvu counts $11.25 million against the salary cap, which isn't terrible. But any hopes of getting an extension ahead of time may be gone after a down year — albeit with mitigating circumstances attached.
Like Daron Payne, the Commanders will probably choose to let him play out the contract before making a decision, but there is just no telling for sure.
Laremy Tunsil - Commanders OT
For all the Commanders' struggles during the 2025 campaign, there were a few bright spots amid the abject misery. Adam Peters' blockbuster trade to acquire four-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil was one of them.
The Commanders had to pay a hefty compensation package to the Houston Texans for Tunsil. Although the team fell vastly short of expectations, the blindside enforcer was as advertised, providing elite pass protection and crushing run-blocking capabilities to cement his status among the league's best.
This was immensely positive. And now, Tunsil is on the lookout for another lucrative payday that will keep him in Washington for the remainder of his playing career.
The former Ole Miss standout hasn't been shy about wanting an extension. Tunsil has one more year remaining on his deal, and he'll likely hold out unless the situation is resolved. Peters cannot afford another Terry McLaurin situation, so getting a deal worked out at the earliest possible opportunity would benefit everybody.
That won't be cheap. Projections suggest Tunsil could reset the market with a deal costing $30 million per season. That is a whopping figure, but having an exceptional presence protecting quarterback Jayden Daniels is priceless.
Peters should know this is the best-case scenario. Dragging his feet is not an option.