The Washington Commanders' preseason slate is officially in the books. There have been plenty of ups and downs this summer, but general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn must now make some important decisions.
And they have to get them right.
Developments will happen quickly as the Commanders trim their roster from 90 to 53 before Sunday's deadline. Some who don't make it will get opportunities elsewhere or return to Washington's practice squad, but for others, this will be the end of the road.
Peters and Quinn should have a good idea of where things stand and what more may be needed now. And even though the initial 53-man roster needs to be confirmed, there is a chance for more upheaval if the Commanders target someone off the waiver wire.
It's an uncertain time for those on the fringes. They have done everything possible to impress, but everything is now out of their hands. And with so much riding on the 2026 campaign for Washington, sentiment and previous reputations will not factor into Peters' thought process.
There may be a few surprises. Some unfortunate players who miss out will rightfully feel aggrieved. But for Peters, it's all about doing what he believes is best for the franchise to bounce back from their five-win campaign last time around.
With this in mind, we took a look at how the Commanders' initial 53-man roster could look in our final projection before final cuts.
Washington Commanders' final 53-man roster prediction after intense preseason battles
Commanders special teams (3): Tress Way (P), Tyler Ott (LS), Drew Stevens (PK)
The Commanders' special teams dilemma centered on the intriguing kicking competition between Drew Stevens and Jake Moody earlier this summer. However, a sterling effort from the undrafted rookie ended this competition much earlier than expected.
Stevens comfortably beat out Moody, who was released with little fanfare. His leg strength and ability to come through when the stakes are highest came across from the moment he got into the building. If the Commanders can ride the inevitable rookie ups and downs, the Iowa product could finally be the long-term kicking option they've craved for years.
Pro Bowl punter Tress Way is the team's longest-serving player. He got a new one-year deal this offseason, and despite his advancing years, is still performing at a high level. Fans are expecting much of the same from the ultra-dependable veteran, which could get him another contract at season's end if he wants to continue his playing career.
There is also long-snapper Tyler Ott. He's stable, rarely puts a foot wrong, and never gets spoken about. It's an understated yet important role, and one the savvy professional occupies extremely well.
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