Adam Peters made a significant impression during his first season as Washington Commanders' general manager. Building on the team's superb early success is next on his list of objectives.
Peters came into the Commanders with professionalism, collaboration, and purpose. He turned over around two-thirds of Washington's playing personnel in pursuit of improvements. It was a whirlwind offseason that left fans more enthused than ever.
Progress was expected. Nobody anticipated the Commanders reaching the final four and coming within one game of the Super Bowl.
This puts Peters in a strong position entering his second recruitment period. The Commanders have plenty of salary-cap space to utilize. They also possess seven draft selections. There is optimism for the future and Washington is an attractive destination again. If the front-office leader can master his personnel decisions, his team could be among the Super Bowl favorites next time around.
How Peters goes about his business is crucial. The Commanders will leave no stone unturned. There will be no sentiment attached to the process. The former San Francisco 49ers executive might also turn to some familiar faces to help him along the way.
With this in mind, here are five free agents who could reunite with Peters in Washington this offseason.
Free agents who could reunite with Commanders GM Adam Peters in 2025
Commanders could sign Talanoa Hufanga
The Washington Commanders don't have a desperate need at the safety spot. However, that all changes if an extension cannot be worked out with Jeremy Chinn before free agency hits.
Chinn galvanized his career under head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. He thrived within a scheme well-suited to his strengths. It allowed him to be instinctive and around the football consistently. His performance levels overall more than warrant a longer-term commitment.
Adding a third safety capable of logging prominent reps should be considered even if Chinn signs a new deal. Talanoa Hufanga's dealt with injury issues over the last two seasons, but the prolific defensive back is an All-Pro-caliber performer entering his prime.
Adam Peters was part of the San Francisco 49ers' brain trust that took Hufanga in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. They saw a diamond in the rough while most looked the other way. He repaid their faith quickly.
The Niners could keep Hufanga around, especially if there's a promising outlook on the health front. If not, a situation could emerge where Peters throws his hat into the ring for another weapon within the secondary.
Commanders could sign Javon Hargrave
The Washington Commanders need to fortify their trenches this offseason. What they had was sufficient enough to defy the odds and reach the NFC Championship game in head coach Dan Quinn's first season. It wasn't — and won't be — enough to get over the hump.
Losing Sam Cosmi and Daron Payne was a blow Washington couldn't counteract effectively en route to defeat against the Philadelphia Eagles. This won't have gone unnoticed by Adam Peters, who has some big decisions to make on the offensive and defensive lines in the coming months.
Washington's highly-priced defensive front is rapdily disintegrating. Chase Young and Montez Sweat were traded. Jonathan Allen's future is under a cloud. Some fans are also calling for Payne to be traded. This isn't what Ron Rivera had in mind when he allocated substantial resources to this area of the field.
If the Commanders want to find an experienced figure, taking a chance on Javon Hargrave is a potential option. He joined the San Francisco 49ers during Peters' final offseason with the club. Injuries limited his influence this season, which led them to release him as part of cost-cutting measures.
Hargrave isn't getting any younger, so this would be nothing more than a short-term signing. But if he's motivated to silence his doubters, it's a risk worth taking.
Commanders could sign Dre Greenlaw
One of the biggest positives from the Commanders' season came from the defensive second level. The linebacking corps was neglected by Ron Rivera and descended into embarrassment. That was something Adam Peters rectified immediately with the signings of Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu.
This duo completely changed the culture on and off the field. They performed exceptionally well en route to second-team All-Pro selections. They inspired the locker room and got everyone to follow their lead. A team weakness became an area of strength.
That couldn't have been any more positive. Luvu is under contract for two more years. Wagner is looking for a new deal and should get it, but it might be worth Peters acquiring another option to take some pressure off the aging veteran.
Dre Greenlaw is no stranger to Peters from their time together in San Francisco. This is a no-brainer at the peak of his powers, but some troubling injury complications over the last two seasons mean things are less certain now.
Greenlaw worked exceptionally hard to recover from a torn Achilles suffered in the Super Bowl. Unfortunately for the former fifth-round pick, his two games since returning have resulted in injury problems.
Some better luck on the health front is well overdue. The Commanders could potentially get him for cheaper than the going rate if the Niners and Greenlaw go their separate ways.
Commanders could sign Aaron Banks
As mentioned previously, losing in the trenches became the catalyst behind the Washington Commanders' demise in the NFC Championship game. The offensive line crumbled without right guard Sam Cosmi to depend upon. That cast doubt on how many of the unit will return to their starting spots in 2025.
This bears more significance when one considers Cosmi could miss most if not all of the campaign after tearing his ACL at the Detroit Lions. Veteran center Tyler Biadasz should be safe. Brandon Coleman boasts long-term upside, but at what position is debatable.
Nick Allegretti was solid if not spectacular throughout the campaign. Right tackle Andrew Wylie looks like a salary-cap cut candidate considering the savings involved. That means Peters must maintain a sense of urgency to improve the protection in front of quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Someone like Aaron Banks is a free-agent possibility if the money is right. The former second-round pick has three seasons of starting experience under his belt. Cosmi's injury and Allegretti's inconsistency indicate the Commanders need a plug-and-play guy who fits this mold.
Banks gave up one sack and 25 pressures from 775 offensive snaps. He played exclusively at left guard, so this is also entirely dependent on what the Commanders think of Allegretti's potential for growth or how adaptable the potential arrival is.
Commanders could sign Charvarius Ward
Adam Peters' most aggressive move so far was the trade for stud cornerback Marshon Lattimore. The general manager thought the team's early resurgence gave him an opportunity. He struck with conviction to bring the four-time Pro Bowler into the fold.
This transaction didn't hit the heights expected. Lattimore never looked healthy and missed considerable time with a hamstring issue. It wasn't the easiest situation, which is why Peters is giving him the benefit of the doubt.
Mike Sainristil looks like a cornerstone piece after thriving as a rookie. Noah Igbinoghene worked well in the slot and should get another short-term deal. For the Commanders to take the next step, another prominent coverage presence is required.
Even though he had a somewhat down year by his typically high standards, someone like Charvarius Ward ticks the boxes. His competitive fire makes him a good locker-room fit. The player is an accomplished tackler and mirrors opposing wide receivers effectively. These skills would compliment what Lattimore, Sainristil, and potentially Igbinoghene bring to the table.
There is one possible stumbling block. Ward is projected to command an annual salary of $15.3 million on a three-year, $45.83 million deal according to Spotrac. That might be a little too rich for Washington's blood, but he'd be a tremendous asset all the same.