Adam Peters completely botched his edge-rushing recruitment during the offseason. Washington Commanders fans were deeply concerned that the general manager hadn't done enough to fortify this critical area of the field. Although injuries can be used as an excuse, they were right.
When Von Miller is your leading sack-getter at this late stage of his career, that's a problem of epic proportions.
That has to change next spring. Peters must find players who can consistently generate pressure. And there is one developing situation around the league that deserves his undivided attention.
Commanders should keep tabs on developing situation between Rashan Gary and the Packers
There is a situation brewing between the Green Bay Packers and defensive end Rashan Gary, according to one respected team insider. Matt Schneidman of The Athletic suggested a scenario in which the NFC North club could look to dispose of the 2019 first-round pick this offseason, especially if a teammate proves his worth over the final three games and potentially into the postseason.
And if this scenario comes to fruition, the Commanders should be among the first to call and see what it might take to bring the star pass-rusher to the franchise.
"[Matt] LaFleur said earlier this season that [Rashan] Gary has never been a high snap-count guy. He’s making $24 million per year. That’s alarming. You could partially excuse stretches of futility in the past because he was the main guy teams were worried about, but there’s no excuse now, given how much teams are devoting to Parsons. I wouldn’t be surprised if Gary is even released to free up cap space (doing so before June 1 would free up about $11 million, according to Over The Cap), but that might require Lukas Van Ness to show any sign of being a worthy No. 2 pass rusher."Matt Schneidman
Gary has never reached double-digit sacks in his career, but he was almost constantly double-teamed from the moment he got into the league. And looking at the options under contract for Washington next season, he'd be an immediate upgrade on anything they have currently.
There is one stumbling block. The Packers suffered a devastating blow when All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons sustained a torn ACL against the Denver Broncos, which could result in him missing the first half of 2026 if not more. This critical setback could prolong Gary's stay in Green Bay, leaving the Commanders and others around the league out of luck.
Regardless of whether it's Gary, a high-end draft pick, or someone else, the Commanders have to find a prolific edge rusher to go opposite Dorance Armstrong Jr. They also need to enhance depth as a matter of urgency. Anything less is organizational malpractice.
If Peters hasn't figured that out by now, he never will. But fortunately for the Commanders, he remains a sound evaluator of personnel, even if things have fallen by the wayside this season.