Andrew Wylie - Commanders OL
The Washington Commanders have a high opinion of Andrew Wylie. He's a solid offensive lineman who's always willing to put the team first. This was no more evident than this season.
Wylie knew the writing was on the wall when Washington spent its first-round pick on offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. They'd already traded for Laremy Tunsil, so the Super Bowl winner was either going to the interior or to the bench.
It turned out to be both. Wylie was a depth piece to begin the campaign. When Nick Allegretti struggled over the two weeks, the former Eastern Michigan prospect stepped into the right guard spot. Things immediately improved, but his time as a starter is running out.
Sam Cosmi is expected to return for the Commanders' crucial clash with the Dallas Cowboys in Week 7. Wylie will go back to the fringes, and unless he's willing to accept a cheap deal, he'll be allowed to walk in free agency.
Von Miller - Commanders DE/OLB
Desperate times called for desperate measures before the season. Everyone knew that the Commanders needed another productive pass-rusher after Adam Peters didn't draft one. The general manager reacted accordingly, signing future Pro Football Hall of Fame veteran Von Miller to a one-year deal.
It's a short-term fix for a long-term issue. Miller is playing pretty well in the circumstances. He's got 3.5 sacks and 11 pressures from 38 percent of Washington's defensive snaps. His leadership in the locker room has been a significant help. At the same time, the Commanders have to get younger at some point.
Next spring could be the year Peters spends his first-round pick on an explosive edge rusher. It's projected to be a deep group once again, and there is a decent chance Miller finally calls time on his exceptional career at season's end.
Miller has fought off Father Time for long enough. And the Commanders need an injection of youthful exuberance.
Marcus Mariota - Commanders QB
Marcus Mariota remains among the league's most accomplished backup quarterbacks. He resisted the temptation to leave the Commanders in free agency, despite some experts believing he could become a starter elsewhere. That's helped Washington enormously, especially with Jayden Daniels out of the lineup for two games earlier in the campaign.
With the 2026 quarterback draft class not looking as strong as it appeared before the college football campaign began, there could be a few teams looking at Mariota as a short-term stopgap under center. If these alluring glances result in a concrete offer, will the former Oregon standout be able to turn it down?
Being a backup is one thing, but Mariota should also be eager to showcase his worth with one final chance as a starting option. He's proved capable of handling these responsibilities in the right scheme, but Washington already has its franchise player.