Adam Peters knew what had to be done this offseason. The Washington Commanders went from the NFC Championship game to winning just five contests. The NFL's oldest roster needed a shake-up, and the general manager turned over every stone throughout his third recruitment period to achieve this objective.
The Commanders signed a plethora of free agents without impacting their long-term financial flexibility. Peters only had six picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, but he used them wisely. The pieces are slowly coming together in Washington, which puts even more pressure on head coach Dan Quinn to make the necessary improvements.
Overcoming a brutal start to the campaign will be key. The Commanders have a gauntlet ahead of them before their Week 7 bye, and they need to navigate it effectively. If they can, it should set things up nicely for the second half of 2026. It will also give Peters vindication for his approach during an eventful period.
All hope is not lost for the Commanders by any stretch. It's a younger, more vibrant roster with purpose and ambition. Hopefully, this translates to being more competitive when it counts.
That's for the future. For now, here are five winners and two losers from Washington's aggressive offseason reset.
Winners and losers from the Washington Commanders' aggressive offseason reset
Winner No. 1
Will Harris - Commanders S
The Commanders' safety unit was a disaster last season, aside from perhaps Jeremy Reaves. Most fans expected a complete overhaul this offseason. But surprisingly, Adam Peters didn't implement the wholesale changes fans were demanding.
Washington signed Nick Cross in free agency. This could be a team-friendly deal if he meets expectations, but he's the only new arrival of note.
The Commanders turned down the chance to select Caleb Downs at No. 7 overall, going with linebacker Sonny Styles instead. It's a risky strategy, but it outlines confidence that those around last season can improve under new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones.
Will Harris could be the biggest beneficiary. Last year's free-agent signing couldn't generate any positive momentum. He was injured early in the campaign and didn't look fully healthy when he came back. The Commanders were a lost cause by then, so a big effort is needed this summer to raise confidence.
The Commanders are giving Harris the benefit of the doubt. The same goes for Quan Martin, who could be a versatile defensive back within Jones' system. Repaying this faith is critical, especially considering Peters has the cash to bring in another capable starter if he sees fit.
Add us as a preferred source on Google