Much of the hype has centered on the 14 new signings the Washington Commanders made this offseason. General manager Adam Peters added three new edge rushers into the mix, which were desperately needed to provide some much-needed energy into what quickly became a lethargic unit last time out.
However, there is one veteran already on the books who will not be ignored. And according to head coach Dan Quinn, pass-rusher Dorance Armstrong Jr. is well on the way to making a successful recovery from injury.
Armstrong was in the midst of a breakout campaign in 2025 before a serious ACL injury in Week 7 against the Dallas Cowboys. This was a body blow that the defensive edge was too weak to recover from. But the new arrivals have created a sense of urgency to ramp up his recovery before on-field preparations for the new season begin.
Commanders seem bullish about Dorance Armstrong Jr.'s recovery from ACL injury
Quinn provided an update on Armstrong during his media availability at the annual league meetings. The coach said he was making good progress. He has been checking in with the Commanders regularly throughout the offseason, and the former Kansas star has also sent the staff plenty of workout videos.
There is a long way to go and a lot of hard work ahead, but there seems to be strong optimism building about his return to form.
The significance of what's recently transpired and what might be to come won't be lost on Armstrong. Odafe Oweh, K'Lavon Chaisson, and Charles Omenihu have not come to sit on the sidelines, so the extra competition for playing time should be enough to raise urgency. This is also a contract year for the 2018 fourth-round pick, who counts $12.05 million against Washington's salary cap next season.
Giving him an extension early is not an option, not after coming off such a significant injury. But if Armstrong reestablishes himself as a core part of the defensive plans, putting up the numbers he displayed early in the 2025 campaign, one couldn't rule out the prospect of another deal getting worked out in-season if everything goes well.
In this scenario, and if Oweh, Chaisson, and Omenihu all meet their respective bars, the Commanders will have a prolific pass-rushing quartet to call upon. And if Armstrong loses some explosiveness, Washington has others who can pick up the slack.
Either way, it's not a bad spot for the Commanders to be in. But make no mistake; Armstrong is going to do everything in his power to remind the entire NFL what he's capable of.