The Washington Commanders achieved more than anyone dreamed in 2024. General manager Adam Peters is well-positioned to bolster the ranks further during another critical offseason for the franchise.
Peters went about his business methodically yet aggressively throughout his first year at the helm. He didn't think much of the previous regime's roster construction and reacted accordingly, turning over around two-thirds of the playing personnel. Aside from a select few cornerstone pieces and his first draft class, nobody was safe.
This was a drastic, correct approach. Peters laid the groundwork and head coach Dan Quinn built the foundations. They turned the Commanders from a perennial struggler to a surprising Super Bowl challenger much sooner than expected. Their Cinderella journey to the final four ended with an NFC Championship defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles, but Washington is a football hotspot again.
What comes next is more important.
Big changes are coming to the Commanders once again this offseason. Peters acknowledged as much during his exit interview. Quinn wanted his players to savor the moment and recognize their immense accomplishments as a brotherhood before everyone went separate ways.
Some will be back. Some won't. That's all part of the business, but Peters won't attach any sentiment to his decision-making process in a bid to make the Commanders a powerhouse once again.
According to Spotrac, the Commanders have $90.95 million in projected salary-cap space with 34 players under contract. That's a healthy spot that could potentially increase further once releases, contract extensions, or restructures come to light.
There is an urgent need to maximize quarterback Jayden Daniels' rookie contract. The more money Peters has, the better Washington's chances of attracting the right talent will be.
Before then, let's take a look at Washington's top 10 biggest 2025 salary-cap hits entering the offseason.
Commanders biggest salary-cap hits in 2025 entering the offseason
Player & Position | 2025 salary-cap number |
|---|---|
Daron Payne (DT) | $26.17 million |
Terry McLaurin (WR) | $25.5 million |
Jonathan Allen (DT) | $22.47 million |
Marshon Lattimore (CB) | $18 million |
Frankie Luvu (LB) | $12.54 million |
Sam Cosmi (OL) | $10.5 million |
Andrew Wylie (OT) | $10.41 million |
Dorance Armstrong Jr. (DE) | $10.18 million |
Tyler Biadasz (C) | $9.17 million |
Jayden Daniels (QB) | $8.57 million |
Some on this list are arguably more deserving than others. Peters has big decisions to make at the top order, with the defensive tackle tandem of Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen coming firmly under the microscope.
Payne is younger with a more athletic upside. His contract is also pretty hard to get off right now. Allen has one more year remaining on his deal. Trading or releasing the two-time Pro Bowler comes with $17 million in salary-cap savings, although it would leave a gaping hole on the field and in the locker room.
Terry McLaurin is also entering the last year of his contract. The wideout is an integral part of the future and should be extended as a matter of urgency. Something that would also potentially save Washington some cash in 2025 along the way.
A disappointing injury to Sam Cosmi could see him miss the entire 2025 campaign with a torn ACL. That will bring his figure down, but it also removes one good year on his contract before things get more expensive down the road.
Cornerback Marshon Lattimore needs to show more, which is likely with a full offseason and more knowledge of the defensive schematics. Andrew Wylie looks like a potential salary-cap-cut candidate. But the fact Daniels has the 10th-highest number in the second year of his rookie contract is a testament to Peters' financial flexibility before the recruitment period.
Peters earned tremendous trust from the fans. They believe he'll do what's needed to guarantee Washington's fairytale run in 2024 is just the start.