Adam Peters felt the Washington Commanders were in a prime position to win the Super Bowl in 2025. The general manager saw his team reach the NFC Championship game to far exceed expectations, so he was right to be aggressive in pursuit of going one better. Unfortunately, the drop-off was as dramatic as the surge.
The Commanders went 5-12 during a campaign that will be remembered for all the wrong reasons. Injuries dented any hope they had of reaching similar heights, and almost nobody emerged with credit. Peters must now consolidate, and he'll be rethinking a massive offseason gamble that is aging horribly.
To the surprise of almost everybody, the Commanders gave interior defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw a three-year, $45 million deal with $30 million guaranteed. The move was mocked by fans and the media, who didn't believe the veteran was worth anything close to this financial outlay.
Commanders spent big money Javon Kinlaw, but he didn't repay their faith
Based on his efforts in Year 1 with the club, they were right.
Kinlaw was always a big talker before games, but he was found wanting more often than not. He failed to register a sack and became a complete liability against the run. That is a bad combination, and significant improvements are needed if he wants to carve out a long-term future for himself in Washington.
There is no point in Washington releasing Kinlaw this offseason. It makes no financial sense, and they need every cent to strengthen a roster that is desperately in need of energy and quality. But if the same trend continues in 2026, it will be his last in a Commanders uniform.
Kinlaw was resolute right until the end, claiming this is just the start and things are going to get better. But as he proved throughout the campaign, talk is cheap without the right substance attached in the regular-season pressure cooker.
This won't go unnoticed by Peters. He needs a complete defensive overhaul, especially with a new coordinator coming into the fold. Who the Commanders choose to replace Joe Whitt Jr. will have a major say in personnel decisions. Kinlaw's roster spot looks secure, but there is nothing to suggest he won't move into a more rotational role without the desired increase in consistency.
If Peters had the chance to go back, he probably wouldn't sign Kinlaw. The Commanders were scrambling to find an adequate replacement for Jonathan Allen, and they overpaid. The worst part? There is no out on the former South Carolina standout's deal until 2027.
Pressure is building. Peters cannot afford any errors like this during his third offseason at the helm. Otherwise, the Commanders have a much bigger problem on their hands.