Adam Peters is expected to make some aggressive moves regarding new incomings when the Washington Commanders embark on free agency. Before then, the general manager is currently working out deals with his own out-of-contract veterans that the team wants to bring back for another go-around.
Not everyone will get a reprieve. But for Deatrich Wise Jr., the Commanders decided to give him the benefit of the doubt after a luckless first campaign in Washington.
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Commanders have re-signed defensive lineman Deatrich Wise Jr. to a one-year deal. This was perhaps head-scratching to some fans who thought Washington needed to get younger, but upon further examination of his skill set, it makes more sense than you might think.
Commanders bolster their defensive rotation by bringing back Deatrich Wise Jr.
Wise joined the Commanders last offseason after a prolific stint with the New England Patriots. He left this mark over the summer, but disaster struck early in the regular season.
The Arkansas product sustained a serious knee injury in Week 2 that ruled him out for the year. This was a body blow to the defensive edge and the start of their complete capitulation on the health front.
Now, Wise is recovering well. He revealed to JP Finlay of NBC Sports that he's raring to go. He'll be back among his Washington teammates once again when he gets the all-clear, which he expects to be sooner rather than later.
"I've been doing great. They've been taking care of me. I've been improving. I've been getting better. I'm ready to go. Once everything moves forward, I'll be back on that field."
Deatrich Wise says he feels great, can't wait to get back on the field for Washington - "I'm ready to go" pic.twitter.com/8qXTFvD9BB
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) March 5, 2026
Wise's limitations in rushing the passer are obvious. However, his strength lies in setting the edge against the run. At 6-foot-5 and a little over 280 pounds, this could be a solid rotational 3-4 defensive end on early downs if Daronte Jones switches Washington's base front as expected.
Not every signing is going to be a home run. The Commanders will still need a core group of veteran players to enhance the team's depth and provide a sense of calm in the locker room. That's where Wise comes in.
This signing will not prevent Peters from strengthening the front seven, especially at the edge and linebacker positions. Wise may not be a starter anymore, but he'd be a decent backup capable of being a run-stopping 3-4 outside linebacker or even kicking inside.
These traits are typically valued highly by NFL teams. Though the contract details have yet to be revealed, it would be surprising if he wasn't cost-effective to keep around.
That seems like a win-win for everybody. Hopefully, Wise gets a better run of luck on the health front in 2026, so he can showcase what he can truly bring to the table.