Adam Peters was thrilled with how the Washington Commanders' 2024 season unfolded. However, the general manager knew that getting complacent was not an option entering his second offseason.
The Commanders' window to win another Super Bowl is open. That happened sooner than expected, but their memorable run to the NFC Championship game and quarterback Jayden Daniels' incredible early rise to superstardom moved the goalposts.
Peters pivoted accordingly. The Commanders made two bombshell trades throughout the offseason and placed a key emphasis on retaining the large majority of those who gave so much during the previous campaign. They did so while also retaining their future financial flexibility for good measure.
It's not going to be easy next season with a tougher schedule. Even so, confidence is high that Washington can maintain its positive momentum en route to another bold playoff push next time around.
That doesn't mean every move is going to work out. With this in mind, here are five dubious offseason moves that could come back to haunt the Commanders in 2025.
Dubious offseason moves that could come back to haunt Commanders in 2025
Commanders let Jeremy Chinn walk
There wasn't much concern that the Washington Commanders and Jeremy Chinn weren't going to reach an agreement regarding a new deal among the fanbase. The standout safety evolved into a highly productive performer under Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. His scope for further improvements at 27 years old in a stable environment with scheme familiarity made extending the player a foregone conclusion to most.
That didn't come to fruition. The Commanders didn't feel like Chinn was worth the money on his second deal with the club and let him walk in free agency. Pete Carroll and the Las Vegas Raiders were only too happy to take him off Washington's hands.
Chinn signed a two-year, $16.25 million deal with a $4 million signing bonus and $12.25 million guaranteed. He'll carry salary-cap hits of $6.62 million and $9.62 million for his contract. The Commanders thought they could get better for cheaper, signing Will Harris in free agency.
Harris and Chinn have similar athletic traits. The production wasn't nearly as impactful, but the Commanders signed him for two years, $8 million with $3.39 million in guarantees. Simply put, general manager Adam Peters thought buying from the clearance sale was better than re-signing an ascending player who slotted into the schematic concepts seamlessly.
It might turn out to be yet another masterstroke from Peters. But if Harris fails to meet expectations and Chinn thrives in Las Vegas, he'll regret the decision.