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5 offseason moves Commanders got right (and 3 they might regret)

It's been an eventful few months.
Washington Commanders safety Nick Cross
Washington Commanders safety Nick Cross | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
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The dust is finally settling on what's been an eventful offseason for the Washington Commanders.

Rookie minicamp is in the books, and attention will slowly turn to OTAs, mandatory minicamp, and training camp before preseason and Week 1 in the coming months. Things are also looking a lot more promising after an aggressive overhaul from general manager Adam Peters.

That was precisely what the Commanders needed. They won five games in 2025, just one year removed from an appearance in the NFC Championship game. It was a disaster almost from start to finish, and a complete rethink was needed to get back on the right track.

Peters recognized this, too. He was bold in free agency. He found real value during the 2026 NFL Draft. And with plenty of salary-cap space remaining, one couldn't dismiss the prospect of more movement before competitive action begins later this year.

Before then, here are five moves the Commanders got right this offseason, and three they might end up regretting.

5 offseason moves Washington Commanders got right (and 3 they might regret)

Got Right No. 1

Commanders signed Nick Cross

The Commanders missed Jeremy Chinn's presence enormously last season. Washington lacked a tone-setting safety in the middle of the field who could get around the action. Now, they may have found precisely that in free-agent signing Nick Cross.

Cross was a phenomenal college player at Maryland who took this solid form into the pros. The Commanders got him on a relatively cheap deal, especially considering what he could potentially bring to Daronte Jones' defense. And with little else done to enhance the safety room, he should have an important role to play.

Might Regret No. 1

Commanders signed Odafe Oweh

Before we start, Odafe Oweh has a chance to be a magnificent addition. If he hits the ground running and thrives with increased responsibilities, this could be a game-changer for the Commanders. But considering the contract, it cannot be seen as anything other than a gamble.

Oweh's done well as a rotational pass-rushing specialist throughout his career. His length, speed, and explosiveness off the snap are traits the Commanders lacked last season. At the same time, he's never been tasked with a three-down role, and his ability to set clean edges against the run has been questioned on occasion.

The Commanders gave Oweh a four-year, $100 million contract. Was it an overpay? Probably, but everyone has to pay above the going rate to get the top-tier free agents. Now, it's on the player to repay the faith shown in him by Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn.

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