The Washington Commanders are armed and dangerous heading into free agency. Adam Peters' coffers just got bigger after a positive development regarding the salary cap in 2025.
Financial figures have soared in recent years. The introduction of streaming services into the broadcasting equation and the NFL's growing popularity around the world are making billions in revenue. This is giving teams extra flexibility from a cap standpoint, although it still needs to be managed correctly.
Dan Graziano from ESPN provided clarification on the 2025 salary-cap number. The senior insider revealed that teams across the NFL have been informed that the official hard salary cap will be between $277.5 million to $281.5 million. This is a bigger rise than most executives reportedly expected, which is a huge surge from $255.4 million in 2024.
Peters wasn't exactly short of spare cash, to begin with. The Commanders have even more at their disposal now.
Commanders must spend wisely despite salary-cap surge in 2025
Jason Fitzgerald from Over the Cap updated the space Washington could potentially have this spring. Working to a projected cap of $279.5 million, the Commanders have $82.21 million with 46 players under contract. This diminishes to $75.48 million in effective cap space given the money it'll take to sign Washington's upcoming draft class.
The Commanders have the third-most cap space league-wide. Only the Las Vegas Raiders and New England Patriots have more. The larger-than-expected sum isn't going to alter Peters' thought process all that much, but it's raised the expectations of fans exponentially.
They are dreaming of marquee names and immediate difference-makers. Everything is on the table and speculation is running rampant. Peters will ignore the outside noise and stick to his plan. That's what got the Commanders way ahead of schedule. It's also what will help them take the next step.
Peters will be aggressive when the right opportunities arise. The Commanders' window is open and they need to maximize quarterback Jayden Daniels' rookie contract. There won't be a better time to splash the cash, but every new arrival must fit into the improved culture. That remains the most important thing above all else.
It's going to be a fascinating few months for everyone associated with the Commanders. Peters has 29 free agents with their futures hanging in the balance. Once these situations get resolved, attention turns to incomings as Washington looks to build on the best possible start to this long-term project.
Having so much cap space can be a gift and a curse. One only has to look at the wayward moves made for big names during Dan Snyder's ownership to see that. His constant desire to overpay stars who weren't worth it played a leading role in Washington's downward spiral to NFL irrelevancy. Spending money is all well and good, but it has to be for the right talent.
Fortunately for the Commanders, they are being run differently now.
Peters' experience with winning franchises and Josh Harris' ambition got them on the right track quickly. Washington is an attractive destination again, which means free agents might even accept a little less to secure switches to D.C.
Time will tell on that one. But either way, it's been a long time since the Commanders were in such a profitable position.