Adam Peters doesn't need to take long deciding where to spend his dollars in 2026 NFL free agency. Not when one sorry statistic involving Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts showed the Washington Commanders general manager the way.
Hurts and the Eagles piled on the misery during another defeat for Washington at Northwest Stadium in Week 16. Yet in the process, they also inadvertently did the Commanders a favor, offering a brutal reminder of the significant problem Peters has struggled to fix.
It's summed up by this from Next Gen Stats: "Jalen Hurts was pressured on just 4 of 37 dropbacks against Washington, his lowest pressure rate in a game in his career (10.8%)."
Jalen Hurts was pressured on just 4 of 37 dropbacks against Washington, his lowest pressure rate in a game in his career (10.8%).
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) December 21, 2025
Hurts was perfect targeting the short area of the field (0 to 10 air yards), completing all 15 passes for 129 yards & TD.#PHIvsWAS | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/at2kin8ngx
Commanders must prioritize their pass-rush after one embarrassment too many
A lack of pressure was already a chronic problem, but this number shows the Commanders can't ignore their dearth of quality pass-rushers any longer. Fortunately, the upcoming free-agency class is loaded with dominant and proven edge-defenders, as well as a young quarterback hunter on the rise.
Peters' approach of trying to get by with uninspiring retreads, veteran journeymen, and an aging former great is summed up by this season's disappointing sack totals. Veteran edge Von Miller leads the defense with seven sacks. While he's proved a relative bargain, the future Pro Football Hall of Famer is the supporting act for a true star pass-rusher these days.
That's how things might have played out had Dorance Armstrong Jr. not suffered a season-ending knee injury. Losing him was a blow, but attributing all of the Commanders' problems to injuries would be to offer Peters a reprieve he hardly deserves.
Washington's problems rushing the passer can only be solved when the front office stops cutting corners and starts investing heavily at a vital position. It shouldn't be too difficult to do in the pending veteran market.
Maybe 2026 will be the year the Commanders finally sign Trey Hendrickson? It certainly should be since the four-time Pro Bowler can still take over games.
So can 34-year-old Khalil Mack, but watching the Commanders try to force the last bit of speed around the corner from Miller has been painful enough. It's time for solutions with a little more fuel left in the tank.
One such option is Odafe Oweh, who has changed the narrative about his career since being traded from the Baltimore Ravens to the Los Angeles Chargers before the 2025 deadline. The 27-year-old has seven sacks in 10 games for the Bolts, so they'd be mad to let him walk out the door, but he's playing himself into a low-key bidding war the Commanders must enter.
Among the league leaders in available salary-cap space at $81.9 million, a stud like Hendrickson is firmly in the Commanders' sights. Peters could also find room for Oweh and instantly turn this defense's fatal flaw into a formidable team strength.