The speed with which Adam Peters has rebuilt the Washington Commanders’ roster has been remarkable. Though the general manager has been nothing but praiseworthy of Ron Rivera, the proof of what he really thought of his personnel management was evident immediately.
Within six months, Peters had replaced more than 60 percent of the previous regime’s work.
Through trades, free agency, and the draft, Peters has continued the overhaul. As he does so, a new challenge emerges.
It was relatively simple to jettison players chosen by someone else. This year, Peters and staff will have to make a lot of hard decisions on players he brought to the Commanders.
Of the 83 players Washington currently has under contract — a number that will rise and fall as rookies ink their deals and corresponding cuts have to be made — 43 are in the final year of their deal. Each one creates a choice for Peters. Will he look to extend? Or will he allow them to walk, confident that he can find an upgrade?
In a vacuum, 43 is not terribly out of line with the rest of the NFL. It’s a little high — the highest in the NFC East. But the Commanders’ closest rivals all have a number in the high 30s or low 40s.
What matters more is how many of those players are major contributors. On any roster, the majority of the contracts in a contract year belong to young developmental players, most of whom only signed a one-year deal to begin with.
Teams try to arrange it so that they only have a few valuable components up for free agency in any given season. Peters has done a fairly good job of that, but given the radical changes he has made, the situation is not ideal.
As we get further into the offseason, we’ll start looking at who Peters may wish to extend. For now, let's do some simple bookkeeping so that we all know what is in play.
Every Commanders player entering the final year of their deals in 2025
Offense
Player | Position |
|---|---|
Marcus Mariota | QB |
Josh Johnson | QB |
Sam Hartman | QB |
Brian Robinson Jr. | RB |
Austin Ekeler | RB |
Jeremy McNichols | RB |
Chris Rodriguez Jr. | RB |
Michael Wiley | RB |
Demetric Felton | RB |
Terry McLaurin | WR |
Deebo Samuel Sr. | WR |
Noah Brown | WR |
Chris Moore | WR |
Michael Gallup | WR |
K.J. Osborn | WR |
Michael Strachan | WR |
Kazmeir Allen | WR |
Zach Ertz | TE |
Cole Turner | TE |
Tyree Jackson | TE |
Lawrence Cager | TE |
Andrew Wylie | OL |
Trent Scott | OL |
Michael Deiter | OL |
Nate Herbig | OL |
Julian Good-Jones | OL |
Chris Paul | OL |
Bobby Hart | OL |
Foster Sarrell | OL |
Anim Dankwah | OL |
The crucial piece — starter Jayden Daniels — remains on his rookie deal. Veterans Marcus Mariota and Josh Johnson are set to be unrestricted free agents (UFAs). Sam Hartman will be an exclusive rights free agent (ERFA), meaning the club will have a strong measure of control over his status in 2026.
Except for 2025 draft pick Jacory Croskey-Merritt, every one of the Commanders' running backs enters 2025 on an expiring contract. Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Demetric Felton are restricted free agents (RFAs), which gives them the chance to negotiate with other teams but allows Washington the right to match an offer. Michael Wiley will be an ERFA.
Only Luke McCaffrey and draftee Jaylin Lane will be inked beyond this season in the receiver room. Kazmeir Allen, who the Commanders currently list as a running back, will be an ERFA. All the rest will be UFAs.
Tight end is one of the positions where the Commanders have a little more security with three signed beyond this season. Cole Turner will be an RFA. Lawrence Cager is getting a look at the receiver spot as well as tight end.
Peters has done an excellent job with the offensive line. Assuming Sam Cosmi returns at full strength by 2026, Washington already has a starting unit intact, along with at least one quality depth piece.
Defense
Player | Position |
|---|---|
Clelin Ferrell | DE |
Deatrich Wise Jr. | DE |
Jalyn Holmes | DL |
Sheldon Day | DT |
Eddie Goldman | DT |
Viliami Fehoko Jr. | DL |
Andre Jones Jr. | DE |
Bobby Wagner | LB |
Jacob Martin | OLB |
Jonathan Jones | CB |
Noah Igbinoghene | CB |
Kevon Seymour | CB |
Bobby Price | CB |
Allan George | CB |
Jeremy Reaves | S |
Percy Butler | S |
Ben Nikkel | S |
The Commanders' defensive line is another spot where Peters has invested, despite not securing an obvious pass rushing specialist. Most of the starters will be around a while. Viliami Fehoko Jr. and Andre Jones Jr. will both be ERFAs.
Washington currently lists just five players as linebackers, which is a tipoff to the defense Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. intend to play. Draftee Kain Medrano will be a hybrid player, joining Frankie Luvu and Jordan Magee. Nick Bellore is technically a linebacker as well, though he plays almost exclusively on special teams.
With the drafting of cornerback Trey Amos, the Commanders appear solid into the future, at least with their starters. Allan George will be an ERFA.
Quan Martin, Will Harris, Tyler Owens, and Dominique Hampton are all under contract in the safety unit beyond next year. Ben Nikkel will be an ERFA.
Specialists
Player | Position |
|---|---|
Tress Way | P |
Matt Gay | PK |
Long-snapper Tyler Ott is signed through the 2026 season. Both veteran kickers will be UFAs after this year.
Peters and Quinn don’t have to make any snap decisions, although figuring out what to do with Terry McLaurin shouldn’t wait too long. Right now, they are probably mapping out various paths forward. We’ll revisit this list are we get more clarity on how the club may be thinking.