For the Washington Commanders, the 2025 campaign was a sobering reminder that success in the NFL is rarely linear.
Just one year after a magical run to the NFC Championship game, the Jayden Daniels era hit a wall of injuries and defensive incompetence, resulting in a 5-12 regression and a total overhaul of the coaching staff. Now, as the franchise prepares a massive offseason, general manager Adam Peters faces a defining question…
How will Washington utilize what could be around $100 million in salary-cap space to build a fortress around Jayden Daniels, while simultaneously repairing a defense that finished dead last in the league?
Commanders must be aggressive this offseason to get back on track
The most haunting image of Washington’s campaign wasn't a scoreboard; it was Daniels on the sideline. The 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year played just seven games due to a slew of knee, hamstring, and elbow injuries. While the former LSU star's dual-threat brilliance is his greatest weapon, it has also become his greatest liability.
Before the draft, the Commanders must transition from an offense that showcases Daniels to one that also protects him. The firing of Kliff Kingsbury and the arrival of David Blough signal a shift toward a more structured, quick-game passing attack. However, the scheme alone won't keep Daniels upright.
It'll be decision-making when plays extend, and more weapons around No. 5 would make things much easier.
While Daniels’ health is the offensive priority, the defense requires a complete demolition. In 2025, Washington surrendered a league-high 384 yards per game, and the unit was nothing more than 11 strategically placed road cones against the run.
It was horrid. It was abysmal, resulting in a historically poor group that was as worthless as a screen door on a submarine.
Now, with the No. 7 overall pick and another year where the offseason has become their Super Bowl, the Commanders are in a prime position to land a defensive cornerstone. Whether it's a dominant speed rusher like Texas Tech's David Bailey or a versatile safety in Ohio State's Caleb Downs to lead the back end, the pick must be a sure thing. However, the real work must happen in March.
With projected cap totals sitting over $100 million available for Peters to utilize, the Commanders are expected to be among the most active players in free agency, likely targeting a top-tier corner to replace Marshon Lattimore and multiple defensive upgrades at all three levels.
Currently, Washington is a team of extremes — possessing an elite young signal-caller and a massive bank account, but lacking youth, athleticism, and depth.
Free agency represents the deadline for Peters to turn that cash into a cohesive culture. If the Commanders don't use their resources to balance the roster before the draft, they risk turning Daniels' prime into a what-if story after nearly reaching the pinnacle just a year ago.