Adam Peters has had plenty of hits and a few misses thrown in for good measure during his three seasons as Washington Commanders general manager. But tellingly, the front-office leader has consistently maintained the franchise's future financial flexibility.
Peters has been around the game a long time. He was the silent mastermind during the San Francisco 49ers' rise back to prominence. He worked with the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos before that. While some decisions haven't paid off, he knows how to negotiate deals that benefit the team.
And where arguably his most egregious error so far is concerned, there is an escape plan for that, too.
Commanders have an easy out on Javon Kinlaw's contract during the 2027 offseason
The Commanders paid too much for Javon Kinlaw. Most fans and experts thought so at the time, and it's even truer now. His production with the New York Jets in 2024 did not warrant a three-year, $45 million extension with $30 million guaranteed, but Peters dished it out anyway.
Kinlaw struggled mightily in his first season with the Commanders. In all honesty, very few on defense shone, but his price tag demanded more. And despite his big talk, there was little to no substance attached.
Washington is expected to give Kinlaw the benefit of the doubt, despite claims from some analysts that he could still be a cut candidate later this summer. And given the way his contract is structured, this was always a two-year evaluation with the option of a third year.
If improvements don't arrive for Kinlaw next season, the decision to part ways will be simple. Releasing him before the June 1 date comes with $7 million in savings and $9.9 million in dead money. If the Commanders want to make it a post-June 1 designation, the money saved will increase to $13.6 million.
That notion won't be lost on Kinlaw. The Commanders will probably give him the start as the 3-4 defensive end opposite Daron Payne, with free-agent signing Tim Settle Jr. set to operate at the nose in Daronte Jones' new front. But unless the performance levels start to match the paycheck, this is only going to end one way.
The pressure is building on Kinlaw. Fans grew tired of his act last season, but he's got the physical presence to be much more impactful in the right fit. A 3-4 base front should bring more out of him, but a massive effort is needed to get things trending up.
If not, there is an escape route for Peters, which he was right to put in.
Add us as a preferred source on Google