The Washington Commanders were among the hottest names to watch entering the 2025 season. Things fell considerably short of expectations, so drastic measures were needed by general manager Adam Peters this offseason.
Peters has been around the game a long time, enjoying tremendous success wherever he's been. This was his first taste of legitimate adversity since becoming Washington's front-office leader. How he responded was critical, and Commanders fans were expectant.
They were suitably impressed by the bold moves Peters has made to date throughout the offseason. The Commanders have signed 14 players so far. They have six draft picks, and more opportunities will be given when the undrafted free agent frenzy commences. After that, it'll be a case of fine-tuning the ranks, but things look a lot more promising for Washington now.
Everyone is feeling the heat. Another disappointing campaign will probably cost head coach Dan Quinn his job. Peters will be under even more scrutiny in this scenario, too, and the aggressive approach reflects precisely that. And competition is never a bad thing in the NFL.
Compacency cannot become an issue. And for these five Commanders players, their roles could take a seismic shift.
Commanders players who just lost their jobs and don't know it yet
Dorance Armstrong Jr. - Commanders DE/OLB
Adam Peters had to strengthen the defensive edge this offseason. The Washington Commanders couldn't generate any meaningful pressure on opposing quarterbacks in 2025. The fact that Von Miller became their sack leader typified how poorly things went for the group.
Thankfully, Peters knew this had to take priority above all else. The Commanders splashed the cash on Odafe Oweh in free agency, giving him a four-year, 4$00 million deal with $68 million guaranteed. Washington also convinced K'Lavon Chaisson to join this ambitious project after a breakout campaign with the New England Patriots. Charles Omenihu brings versatility, and another option could also arrive via the 2026 NFL Draft.
Though he should still be part of the team's defensive strategy, Dorance Armstrong Jr. has a big campaign ahead. He was in the middle of a genuine breakout season before a serious knee injury put pay to his chances of Pro Bowl consideration. The Kansas product is reportedly making good progress, recently reminding the world that he isn't going to go away quietly after the Commanders made their intentions clear in free agency.
This is also a contract year for Armstrong. He cannot put a foot wrong in his efforts to reaffirm his importance to Washington's long-term plans.