The Washington Commanders are always looking for ways to improve their roster. General manager Adam Peters has made a plethora of notable additions to the ranks via free agency and the draft. That will help enormously, but the front-office supremo isn't settling by any stretch.
There are still holes to fill. There is still money to spend on the right acquisitions, should they become available. And considering what is at stake for the Commanders next season, no stone is being left unturned.
With Washington's rookie minicamp in the books and OTAs on the immediate horizon, the Commanders raised eyebrows by bringing back an established veteran that most fans never expected to see again.
Commanders bring back Antonio Hamilton Sr. to boost cornerback options
The team confirmed that cornerback Antonio Hamilton Sr. has returned to the club on a one-year deal. This adds another depth piece into the mix, providing competition in the room. For the player, this also represents a chance to build on the encouraging (albeit brief) flashes displayed late in the 2025 campaign.
Hamilton wasn't expected to be anything more than an insurance policy, which proved to be the case. But when injuries started decimating Washington's cornerback room, he was thrown into a starting role against the New York Giants. He met the call, turning in an exceptional display to help the Commanders end a concerning slump.
However, this optimism was short-lived.
Despite playing 82.4 percent of snaps and shining versus the Giants, the Commanders didn't trust him with the same responsibilities over their remaining games. Hamilton played 20% and 12% of defensive snaps over the next two weeks. He didn't see the rotation at all in the team's regular-season finale. And at 33, most fans thought this would be the end of the road.
After a long wait, Hamilton is now back. And he'll be looking to shake things up once again.
The Commanders deprioritized their core unit this offseason. Marshon Lattimore was released. Jonathan Jones and Noah Igbinoghene left. Only Amik Robertson and Ahkello Witherspoon came in to go alongside Trey Amos and Mike Sainristil. Not exactly the strongest group, but the secondary will be interchangeable under new coordinator Daronte Jones.
Whether Hamilton will be anything more than a camp body is anyone's guess. He's experienced and proved last season that he can perform when tasked with prominent reps. Nothing is guaranteed, but the Commanders must feel like the South Carolina State product could have something to offer.
Otherwise, they wouldn't have given him an unlikely reprieve.
Hamilton has another deal, but no more than that. He's starting from the bottom again, and making the team will be a tall order.
It's time to prove his worth all over again.
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