Adam Peters gave those who contributed so much to the Washington Commanders' cause in 2024 a massive vote of confidence this offseason. Whether this continues long-term is another matter.
The lack of legitimate game-changers on the free-agent market didn't entice Peters enough to make lofty commitments. Washington's general manager re-signed the large majority of his free agents, confident in the knowledge that they know the scheme and are fully immersed in the team's culture shift under new head coach Dan Quinn.
That's a big boost from a continuity standpoint. The Commanders achieved more than anyone expected last season en route to the NFC Championship game. They went from a laughingstock to one of the leading contenders in the blink of an eye. Having this newfound stability is only going to help their quest for similar (or better) fortunes next time around.
This is a fluid situation. Peters will assess developments closely throughout the summer and when competitive action commences. He's also shown that if the money doesn't match the financial commitment, the Commanders will seek alternatives.
With this in mind, here are seven Commanders who are (likely) playing their final seasons with the team in 2025.
Commanders likely playing their final seasons with the team in 2025
Percy Butler - Commanders S
The Washington Commanders' most surprising move of the offseason — from a departures standpoint at the very least — was the decision not to re-sign standout safety Jeremy Chinn. His production warranted another commitment from the franchise. The former second-round pick wasn't willing to wait around, signing a two-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders instead.
Addam Peters found a replacement quickly, penning Will Harris to a two-year deal that was much cheaper than Chinn's agreement with the Raiders. That'll help fill the void on the backend, but the depth options remain thin on the ground.
Percy Butler has a big point to prove entering the 2025 campaign. The former fourth-round pick emerged as a decent special-teams contributor last season. However, his production remains sketchy when tasked with responsibilities on the defensive rotation.
Butler is a liability in coverage and didn't fare much better against the run. The Commanders gave him a reprieve heading into the final year of his deal, but the Louisiana graduate has a significant amount of hard work ahead in pursuit of another deal.
Peters has had no trouble whatsoever moving off Ron Rivera's draft picks if they aren't meeting the required standard. It'll take a huge effort from Butler to turn the tide.