The busiest time of year for general manager Adam Peters has arrived. And once again, it's a hugely important free agency period for the Washington Commanders after a phenomenal 2024 campaign.
Peters has a lot of work to get through in the coming days and weeks. The Commanders are a hotbed destination again and reached the NFC Championship game in the first season under head coach Dan Quinn. They also have just 47 players under contract right now.
Some free agents have already been re-signed. Others have likely been told their services are no longer required. A select few have their respective futures hanging in the balance and could get interest from elsewhere.
It's a fine line between taking care of those who proved their worth and finding the upgrades needed to take Washington's ambitious project to new heights. Peters doesn't have sentiment attached to his roster construction and won't hesitate to implement changes if it doesn't work from a business standpoint. That much became abundantly clear over his first year at the helm.
A fascinating few days await. Keep up to date with all the comings and goings in Washington in this live tracker complete with analysis.
Commanders 2025 free agency tracker with analysis
Commanders free agents who've re-signed with the team
Player | Contract terms |
|---|---|
Bobby Wagner (LB) | 1-year deal |
Zach Ertz (TE) | 1-year deal |
Chris Rodriguez Jr. (RB) | Exclusive rights tender |
Zane Gonzalez (K) | 1-year deal |
John Bates (TE) | 3-year deal |
Tress Way (P) | 1-year deal |
Jeremy McNichols (RB) | 1-year deal |
Marcus Mariota (QB) | 1-year deal |
Kevon Seymour (CB) | 1-year deal |
K.J. Osborn (WR) | 1-year deal |
Noah Brown (WR) | 1-year deal |
Michael Deiter (OL) | 1-year deal |
Trent Scott (OL) | 1-year deal |
Noah Igbinoghene (CB) | 1-year deal |
Nick Bellore (LB) | 2-year deal |
Sheldon Day (DL) | 1-year deal |
Clelin Ferrell (DE) | 1-year deal |
Jalyn Holmes (DE) | 1-year deal |
Tying down Bobby Wagner and Zach Ertz were the two biggest priorities for the Commanders. Although the veteran duo are firmly in their career twilight, both contributed significantly last season and should have some good football left.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. got an exclusive rights tender after flashing when called upon last season. Fans wanted the running back to get more of a look when Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler were either injured or regressing. Now, he'll get the chance to carve out a bigger role for himself in 2025.
Washington's tight end room is set after John Bates got a three-year extension. The blocking specialist was expected to have a decent market in free agency, so the Commanders were keen to get something worked out before it got too expensive to keep him around.
The special teams unit also has familiarity. Kicker Zane Gonzalez and Pro Bowl punter Tress Way were rewarded for their contributions with one-year deals. Washington will likely add another kicker, but the former seventh-round pick gets an opportunity to keep his starting job.
Commanders free agents who've departed the team
Player | Status |
|---|---|
Jonathan Allen (DT) | Vikings (3-year deal) |
Dyami Brown (WR) | Jaguars (1-year deal) |
Jeremy Chinn (S) | Raiders (2-year deal) |
Cornelius Lucas (OT) | Browns (2-year deal) |
Darrick Forrest (S) | Bills (1-year deal) |
Mykal Walker (LB) | Cardinals (1-year deal) |
Benjamin St-Juste (CB) | Chargers (1-year deal) |
Olamide Zaccheaus (WR) | Bears (1-year deal) |
Dante Fowler Jr. (OLB) | Cowboys (1-year deal) |
Jonathan Allen's departure seemed inevitable. The veteran defensive tackle wanted a fresh challenge and his performances no longer justified the large financial commitment coming his way on the final year of his deal.
After a trade partner couldn't be found, Allen was released. This saves the Commanders around $16.47 million on their 2025 salary cap, although his locker room leadership will be sorely missed. He's now joined the Minnesota Vikings on a three-year, $60 million deal.
Dyami Brown decided to cash in after his resurgence in the playoffs. The wide receiver penned a one-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars worth $10 million that could rise to $12 million with incentives. That was always more than the Commanders were going to pay after trading for Deebo Samuel Sr.
In a surprising move, the Commanders also let Jeremy Chinn walk in free agency. The standout safety played well in 2024, but not well enough for another financial commitment. The Las Vegas Raiders held a different opinion, signing the former second-round pick to a two-year deal.
The acquisition of stud left tackle Laremy Tunsil would have an impact on Washington's depth chart. Cornelius Lucas became the collateral damage, being told his services are no longer required and signing a two-year deal with the Cleveland Browns. Considering how well the edge protector played last season, he's got a decent chance to play significant reps.
Commanders new signings
Player | Terms |
|---|---|
Javon Kinlaw (DT) | 3-year deal ($45 million) |
Laremy Tunsil (OT) | Trade with the Texans |
Will Harris (S) | 2-year deal ($8 million) |
Eddie Goldman (DL) | 1-year deal |
Jonathan Jones (CB) | 1-year deal ($6.5 million) |
Deatrich Wise Jr. (DL) | 1-year deal ($5 million) |
Jacob Martin (DE) | 1-year deal ($3 million) |
Nate Herbig (OL) | 1-year deal |
Foster Sarrell (OT) | 1-year deal |
The Commanders' first big splash in free agency was a replacement for Jonathan Allen. It also looks like a complete overpay after giving Javon Kinlaw a three-year, $45 million contract.
Peters was in the San Francisco 49ers' front office when Kinlaw was taken No. 14 overall in 2020. Injuries and poor performances saw his time with the franchise fizzle out. Things weren't better on the New York Jets last season, so the jury is still out.
If Peters has trust in Kinlaw, that should be enough for fans. But he'll need to hit the ground running to keep criticism to a minimum.
There was still room for another bombshell trade. The Commanders acquired left tackle Laremy Tunsil from the Houston Texans to provide Jayden Daniels with an elite-level edge protector. This represents another all-in move from Washington — one that sent shockwaves across the league.