Nobody is expecting the Washington Commanders to run it back with almost the same squad again in 2026. General manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn thought that was a risk worth taking last year after reaching the NFC Championship game, but it blew up in the worst way imaginable.
The Commanders have money to spend in free agency. Peters only has six picks, but Washington has the No. 7 overall selection to utilize. There is a significant amount to get through. Still, the bounce-back potential is evident if the correct moves are made.
Peters and Quinn cannot place any sentiment whatsoever into their thought process. The coach, in particular, prides himself on loyalty. He should also know that things have to change across the playing personnel if he wants Washington's five-win campaign last season to be a blip and nothing more.
Free agency is fast approaching. Then, it'll be the draft. It seems unlikely that Peters will make any more daring trades in the Commanders' current situation, but nothing has been completely taken off the table at this early stage.
For some, their time in Washington could be coming to an end. If not in the coming weeks, certainly before the 2026 season begins.
Here are seven prime examples of this fact.
Commanders players who need to be gone before the 2026 season begins
D.J. Johnson - Carolina Panthers DE/OLB
The Washington Commanders raised a few eyebrows when they signed edge rusher D.J. Johnson late in the season. Fans were even more shocked when they re-upped with the former Carolina Panthers draft flop with a reserve/futures deal.
Johnson will get the chance to prove his worth over the summer. The Oregon product was drafted way too high by Scott Fitterer, Carolina's general manager at the time, who is now in Washington's front office. It's no coincidence that the player joined the Commanders, but whether he can stick around for long is another matter entirely.
There are major concerns. Johnson failed to generate any meaningful pressure when given opportunities in Carolina. Setting the edge against the run was expected to be his strength, but he was found wanting in this area, too. The Panthers eventually gave up, and it seemed as if his time in the league was done before the Commanders came calling.
This is the last-chance saloon for Johnson. And if general manager Adam Peters makes the desired upgrades to Washington's pass-rush as expected this offseason, that's only going to diminish his hopes of securing an unlikely roster spot for the 2026 season.