Through the first week of free agency, Adam Peters has been relatively restrained. The Washington Commanders' general manager made his biggest roster additions via trades, bringing in left tackle Laremy Tunsil and wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. Both will be major contributors to the offense in 2025.
The only major free-agent signing has been defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw. At three years and $45 million — $30 million of which is guaranteed — his contract is significantly bigger than the ones Peters gave to free agents like Dorance Armstrong Jr., Frankie Luvu, and Tyler Biadasz last offseason.
That is in part due to the increased salary cap this year, which has raised prices across the board. It also may indicate a desire to get bigger in the trenches. Kinlaw is simply a more physical player than Jonathan Allen, the veteran he is ostensibly replacing.
Though he has brought in a few other mid-tier free agents, Peters’ most significant moves in free agency, aside from signing Kinlaw, have been to extend key contributors from last year’s team. Bobby Wagner, Zach Ertz, Marcus Mariota, and Tress Way will all be back in 2025. That was not a sure thing a few weeks ago.
The losses to other teams have been minimal. Jeremy Chinn is the only starter who departed. Cornelius Lucas was a vital swing tackle who is also gone. Four or five others from last year’s squad have also signed with new teams, but their respective departures will be negligible.
Even with all the early activity across the league, a large group of 2024 Commanders are still unrestricted free agents. Will Peters bring any of them back? Let’s take a quick look at four groups.
Commanders remaining free agents unlikely to return
- Jeff Driskel, Michael Deiter, Clelin Ferrell, Jalyn Holmes, Michael Davis.
Even if Mariota didn't re-sign, Jeff Driskel’s return seemed doubtful.
Mariota’s early injury may be the main reason Driskel made the roster last year. Now that Jayden Daniels is firmly entrenched and the veteran backup is returning, the Commanders should look to Sam Hartman as their third QB.
Michael Deiter is a versatile interior offensive lineman, but Peters should look for an upgrade, perhaps in the draft. The same applies to Jalyn Holmes on the defensive front. The door was open for Michael Davis to take a perimeter corner spot last year and he failed.
As for Clelin Ferrell? The recent signing of veteran Deatrich Wise Jr. makes his return unlikely.
Commanders' remaining free agents who could return, but it's not likely
- K.J. Osborn, Jamison Crowder, Sheldon Day, Austin Seibert.
K.J. Osborn and Jamison Crowder are opposite sides of the same coin.
Osborn is a talented wide receiver who has underperformed of late. Crowder is a veteran defying his age.
The former Auburn star's future is difficult to project given his late arrival in-season. But the fact he got virtually no run late last year when the Commanders needed help on the outside suggests he will not be back.
Crowder may have reached the end of the road. He is a quality presence, but the Commanders need to get younger and faster at receiver.
Sheldon Day played a larger role after Allen was hurt last year and acquitted himself well. There will be a role for him in the NFL, but the move toward bigger linemen indicates it will not be in D.C.
The signing of kicker Zane Gonzalez does not preclude Austin Seibert’s return. He was arguably better before his injury last year. But Peters will be looking elsewhere, perhaps even in the draft, for a kicker to challenge.
Commanders remaining free agents in limbo
- Olamide Zaccheaus, Noah Brown.
The Commanders have three sure things at wide receiver as of now. Terry McLaurin, Samuel, and Luke McCaffrey are set as the top three. The departure of Dyami Brown was expected.
That leaves opportunities for the players who were on the team last year as well as new ones acquired through free agency and the draft. Noah Brown provides very good depth at the Z position while Olamide Zaccheaus is a decent slot option. Either or both could return, but it may not be until after Peters completes the draft.
Commanders remaining free agents with a good chance to return
- Noah Igbinoghene, Trent Scott, Dante Fowler Jr., Nick Bellore.
Recently acquired cornerback Jonathan Jones is a different player from the departed Benjamin St-Juste. The Commanders still need a legitimate perimeter cornerback to play opposite Marshon Lattimore and allow Mike Sainristil to man the slot. It could be Bobby Price, or it could be someone not yet on the roster.
It should not be Noah Igbinoghene, but he could still play an important role as a rotational option. He seems to have a good relationship with Joe Whitt Jr. and performed adequately when called upon last year.
The departure of Lucas leaves a gap at the crucial swing tackle spot. Either Brandon Coleman or Andrew Wylie figures to play inside while Sam Cosmi is out. Even though either can play offensive tackle in a pinch, Washington may prefer to have a dedicated backup so that one injury does not cause major reshuffling.
Trent Scott could fill that role. At the very least, they know exactly what they have in the veteran.
Dante Fowler Jr.'s status probably won't be determined until after the draft. He remains a good pass rusher and there will always be a role for that type of player. But a lot of teams — Washington included — could choose to see what they can get in the draft before committing to an older veteran.
If Peters is not happy with his draft options, and if Fowler is still on the market, don't be surprised to see him return.
Nick Bellore is a core special teams leader. At almost 36 years old, it’s up to him as to whether one more year on a low-cost deal is appealing or not. If he’s not ready to call it quits, coordinator Larry Izzo would love to have him back.
After the initial flurry, we are in a bit of a free agency lull. However, there are still many productive players looking for deals and Peters is no doubt working on some bigger plans.
Regardless, many times it is the players who seem to be afterthoughts that end up making a bigger impact on a team’s success.