It was a season no Washington Commanders fan will ever forget. But for general manager Adam Peters, the hard work is just beginning.
The Commanders achieved more than anyone anticipated in Year 1 under the new regime. They won 12 regular-season games and reached the NFC Championship after two notable playoff triumphs. This wasn't enough to reach the Super Bowl, but the future looks incredibly bright.
Peters earned the trust of fans quickly. He brought professionalism, purpose, and collaboration where there was nothing but chaos and confusion previously. Every move was calculated with the long-term in mind. When the time came to be more aggressive with Washington performing better than expected, the front-office leader didn't flinch.
The NFL is taking the Commanders seriously again. They climbed from the proverbial abyss and gained national headlines for the right reasons. After the toxicity of Dan Snyder's two-decade reign, fans couldn't have asked for anything more to kickstart an organizational rebirth.
Ensuring this becomes sustainable is the tough part. Peters has a huge job on his hands with widespread changes expected to the playing personnel once again. The choices he makes will determine if Washington can stay at the league's top table or become another flash in the pan.
With this in mind, here are five legitimate offseason positives that Peters must exploit in 2025.
Legitimate offseason positives Commanders GM Adam Peters must exploit
Commanders' return to prominence
Most analysts expected improvements from the Washington Commanders in some capacity in 2024. Nobody thought they would come within one game of reaching the Super Bowl.
It was the stuff of dreams for fans more used to checking free-agent targets or examining mock drafts in January. Adam Peters found the right reinforcements and Dan Quinn molded them into a cohesive unit. Everyone bought in and believed anything was possible. This took the Commanders back to prominence in double-quick time.
They were once considered a toxic laughingstock in NFL circles. Things are different now.
There is new ownership. There is a strong structure in the front office and an enhanced culture in the locker room. This has reportedly made Washington an attractive destination once again.
Convincing players to join the Commanders is not a tough sell these days. Peters will lay out the project and targets can simply examine the phenomenal early accomplishments as reasons for optimism. Money will play a factor, but veterans looking for a chance to contend might take a little less to join Washington.
It's been decades since this organization could say that.
Commanders' salary-cap space
Adam Peters was calculated during his initial roster makeover. The general manager turned over around two-thirds of the Washington Commanders' playing personnel, and he did it without jeopardizing the long-term financial flexibility.
The Commanders head into the offseason with $75.21 million in available salary-cap space with 46 players under contract. They have decisions to make regarding their out-of-contract players first, but this sum should ensure Washington becomes a big player during the recruitment period.
Peters won't be reckless. He's always thinking two steps ahead and won't deviate from his long-term strategy. At the same time, there's an urgency to maximize Jayden Daniels' rookie contract before things get much more expensive.
Having this money to spend is a bonus. Peters has been around enough winning franchises to know what more is needed. The front-office leader must spend this wisely by signing players who can help right now and also provide a positive long-term outlook along the way.
It'll probably be a mixture of both. That was a recipe for success in Peters' first offseason, so it would be a surprise if the same approach — albeit with a little more aggressiveness attached — wasn't adopted in the coming months.
Given Washington's improved standing around the league, they might not need to overpay to land their desired targets anymore.
Commanders' coaching stability
Dan Quinn was the right man to lead this exciting rebuild. The Commanders wanted a genuine leader of men. Someone capable of reinvigorating a new roster and molding them into a competitive outfit. To say the head coach accomplished this challenging feat would be an understatement.
The culture shift under Quinn's guidance was seismic. Everyone got on the same page. Everyone worked hard with one common goal in mind. The former Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator focused on building relationships first. He also used his vast contacts around the league to mold the best coaching staff imaginable.
The results speak for themselves. However, this inevitably came with alluring eyes from other teams looking to find the same formula.
Kliff Kingsbury and Joe Whitt Jr. got head coaching interviews. The assistants who worked closely with Jayden Daniels got opportunities elsewhere. Everyone aside from a defensive assistant opted to stay with the Commanders.
That spoke volumes. It needs to be a tremendous opportunity for staff members to even consider taking the plunge. This coaching continuity and belief in the project benefits everybody — including free agents or draft picks looking to join the squad.
Having the same coaches who worked wonders last season is a big selling point. Veterans will want to experience this for themselves. That's only going to help entice the right characters to the Commanders.
Commanders have Jayden Daniels
There is no bigger positive than having a franchise quarterback. The Washington Commanders have been searching for a genuine game-changer under center for years. Robert Griffin III's influence was fleeting and nothing was the same after his constant injury complications.
That is until the Commanders spent the No. 2 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft on Jayden Daniels.
Adam Peters was convinced by Daniels' supreme talent. Once the Commanders got the chance to find out more about his work ethic and mentality, no doubts remained. He was the guy to spearhead the organization's renaissance.
Daniels was as advertised. His poise, composure under pressure and flawless demeanor in the biggest moments were a breath of fresh air. The brighter the lights, the more he shone. What followed was arguably the greatest-ever rookie season for a quarterback in NFL history.
Losing in the NFC Championship game denied Daniels a Super Bowl appearance. But make no mistake, it's made him even more determined to put in the work to ensure he goes one better sooner rather than later.
The Heisman Trophy winner out of LSU is a monumental selling point for Peters this offseason. Daniels captured the imagination of the entire league. He did it with a quiet aura and fierce inner desire that's hard not to love. Players should be clamoring to join the dual-threat weapon.
Commanders' Super Bowl window is open
At the end of the day, players want a chance to compete. They want to be playing in the postseason and perhaps even lifting the Vince Lombardi trophy. And it just so happens that the Commanders' Super Bowl window is open.
This is the time for Adam Peters to strike. Jayden Daniels is on his rookie contract. There are some core foundational pieces in place. With the right enhancements to the playing personnel over the next two seasons, the Commanders could become a perennial powerhouse.
As mentioned previously, players seeking alternative employment will be telling their agents to navigate moves to the Commanders. Peters can be selective, but it's not a bad platform from which to build.
Washington cannot waste this chance. They must be aggressive. Peters must add to the culture and make sure this remarkable first campaign becomes something more. There is legitimate momentum that could propel this organization into a completely different stratosphere.
Dan Quinn is respected around the league. Daniels is the franchise player. Something special is happening in D.C. This sleeping giant has awoken and they are ready to challenge for honors once again.
That's all Peters needs to say to his targets this offseason. If they're ambitious enough, that's all it will take.