Adam Peters was not going to be silent when free agency hit. The Washington Commanders had money to spend and a plethora of holes to fill. Insiders around the league were expecting fireworks, and the general manager duly obliged.
The Commanders signed 12 new players. They re-signed some established veterans to bolster depth. Peters prioritized the defense and quietly made some improvements around quarterback Jayden Daniels for good measure. And with $52.25 million in available salary-cap space left, more moves could be on the way.
There is a lot of hard work ahead, but Peters is off to the best possible start. The Commanders were ruthless, striking with conviction to get their preferred targets. They may have missed out on wide receivers Alec Pierce and Romeo Doubs, but the front-office leader was willing to swing for the fences to improve.
Washington still has cash. Peters also has six picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, including the No. 7 overall selection. More competition is coming, which turns up the heat on almost everyone before attention turns to on-field preparations.
With this in mind, here are seven Commanders players under pressure to make the desired improvements after Peters' aggressive spending in free agency. Â
Commanders players suddenly on the hot seat after Adam Peters' aggressive spending
Johnny Newton - Commanders DL
The Washington Commanders haven't gotten enough from Johnny Newton over the first two seasons of his professional career. Adam Peters thought he was getting a first-round lock at No. 36 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. But aside from a few flashes, it just hasn't come together as yet.
Newton can rush the passer from the interior, as evidenced by his three-sack performance against the Dallas Cowboys. However, the Illinois product remains a complete liability against the run, and the Commanders weren't going to wait around for the off chance he improved his consistency in this crucial discipline.
Tim Settle Jr. is back with the team that drafted him, signing a pretty decent deal with the Commanders in free agency. This gives Daronte Jones another space-eater for his defensive front to go alongside Daron Payne and Javon Kinlaw. His presence also removes any hope Newton had of being a starting option in 2026.
Most believe that Newton is destined to become a pass-rushing specialist and nothing more. That's fine, even if the Commanders were hoping for more. But if Peters adds to the defensive line unit in the near future, which is entirely possible, the 2024 second-rounder must raise confidence in his ability when the preparation period begins.
Nothing else will suffice.