Terry McLaurin - Commanders WR
Adam Peters played hardball with wide receiver Terry McLaurin during an intense contract standoff last year. The Washington Commanders eventually paid him, but only when the deal benefited the club.
Given what's happened since, Peters may have been right to hold firm with the second-team All-Pro.
McLaurin missed a large chunk of last season with a quad/hip flexor injury. By the time he returned, it was too late, and the same health concerns have blighted his chances of making a meaningful impact this season.
First, it was a hamstring issue. Things worsened when McLaurin suffered a torn patellar tendon that put him on season-ending injured reserve.
This is a disaster. And it may end up being McLaurin's final act in Washington.
Peters worked hard to get a real out on McLaurin's deal after 2026. The wideout is beloved among the fan base, but the NFL is a business first. And given how long it takes to return from such a serious injury, the Commanders could potentially release the Ohio State product this offseason.
Daron Payne - Commanders DL
The Commanders didn't release or trade Daron Payne during the offseason. Adam Peters still saw the defensive lineman as a key part of their plans, but no new deal came for the Pro Bowler before it was due.
That seems like a good call now.
Payne played relatively well this season, improving his chances of another lucrative commitment in Washington. However, the former Alabama mauler sustained a fractured foot that required season-ending surgery, plunging his future into real doubt.
Reports suggest that the Commanders were in discussions to trade Payne before his unfortunate setback. Whether Peters would have pulled the trigger remains to be seen, but it only clouds the player's future heading into the offseason.
With Javon Kinlaw also done for the year after knee surgery, the Commanders lack dominant options in the defensive trenches. That might improve Payne's chances of another deal if his recovery goes well, but he might also take this opportunity for a fresh start elsewhere.
Jayden Daniels - Commanders QB
The Commanders had firm conviction in quarterback Jayden Daniels. While it's been a rockier road since a phenomenal rookie campaign for the ages, the dynamic quarterback is still playing well in difficult circumstances this season.
But it won't be much longer before Adam Peters has to make a franchise-altering decision about his new deal.
Daniels is extension-eligible after the campaign. Any new contract could be anywhere from $50 million to $60 million per season, which is a massive commitment.
The former Arizona State gunslinger is a franchise player, and his fifth-year option will almost certainly be triggered when the time comes. But whether Peters wants to give Daniels much more remains to be seen.
Extending Daniels should be a top priority. The Commanders have waited decades for a franchise-caliber presence under center, and keeping him around long-term is imperative for this team's future.
It'll make building a competitive roster more difficult, but that's the price every team pays for finding a legitimate quarterback.
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