The Washington Commanders are looking to bounce back emphatically next season. General manager Adam Peters reflected this mindset by shaking up his roster throughout a busy free agency period for the organization.
Peters has acquired 13 new players so far. Several others were re-signed to boost depth and enhance competition across the board. It's nothing more than a good start, but the Commanders have resources available to make additional moves before on-field preparations commence.
The Commanders have six draft picks. They have a projected $49.59 million in available salary-cap space with 73 players under contract. There is still a lot of hard work ahead, but Peters' moves so far have been well-received by fans and the media.
An incredible run to the NFC Championship game in Year 1 under head coach Dan Quinn set this squad up for expectations it wasn't quite ready to meet. Last season represented a humbling crash back to earth, and Peters deserves credit for adjusting his strategy to adopt a more youthful approach and build a sustainable future.
This also raises the urgency for almost everyone. With this in mind, here are seven Commanders players who suddenly have no excuses after Peters' drastic offseason shakeup.
Commanders players who suddenly have no excuses after major offseason shakeup
Daron Payne - Commanders DL
The Washington Commanders have decided to keep Daron Payne around on the final year of his deal. Adam Peters will not offer the defensive lineman a new contract extension beforehand, making this a crucial prove-it season for the interior presence.
Payne wasn't helped by a lackluster supporting cast last season. He started the campaign strongly but faded just as quickly. Speculation around a potential trade inevitably surfaced earlier in the offseason, but the Commanders are giving him one more shot to prove he can be part of the team's plans long-term.
The former Alabama standout carries Washington's biggest salary-cap hit by a considerable margin at $27.95 million in 2026. Payne hasn't lived up to the $90 million deal he signed after a Pro Bowl campaign in 2022. Hopefully, this approach from the Commanders will provide the added incentive needed to reach similar heights again.
Washington bolstered its defensive front by signing Tim Settle Jr. while significantly enhancing its edge options. Moving to a 3-4 front should also help Payne, who has to produce the goods next time around.
Anything less, and the Commanders could look to move him before the 2026 trade deadline to ensure they get something back in return. But that is the worst-case scenario for now.