Adam Peters moves in silence. Fans and the media can speculate all they like about who's coming or going, but nobody knows what's happening in the Washington Commanders' front office until transactions happen.
That proved to be the case once again when the legal tampering window opened. Peters took care of some who made a lasting contribution last season en route to the NFC Championship game. Others took their chances elsewhere. These surprisingly included safety Jeremy Chinn, who signed a two-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders despite playing well for the Commanders in 2024.
Peters made one big splash early in free agency. The front-office leader had his sights set on something bigger, working out yet another blockbuster trade for one premier player in a position of need to send shockwaves through the NFL once again.
The Commanders are well-positioned to make further moves. The second and third waves of free agency are where Peters made his money last season. He found savvy veterans who fit into the team's culture shift without much fuss. Expect the same trend to happen again with Washington being an attractive destination.
Before then, we graded the first eight signings made by the Commanders during 2025 free agency so far. We'll begin with the bombshell trade for offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil.
Grading the Commanders' first eight signings in 2025 free agency
Commanders traded for Laremy Tunsil
Although Laremy Tunsil isn't a free-agent signing, we couldn't start anywhere else.
The Washington Commanders pulled off another heist by acquiring the perennial Pro Bowl left tackle from the Houston Texans. This gives quarterback sensation Jayden Daniels one of the league's most prolific blindside enforcers to call upon entering his second season.
Tunsil is an elite pass protector. He's a crushing run blocker with ruthless finishing abilities. The 19 penalties last season led the league, which is concerning, but the Commanders believe he can be a difference-maker in the trenches to better counteract some ever-improving defensive lines around the NFL.
The Commanders sacrificed substantial draft resources to make this happen. They are giving up third and seventh-round picks in 2025 together with second and fourth-rounders in 2026 in exchange for Tunsil and a fourth-round selection. It's a lot, but Tunsil is an elite left tackle. To get them, you have to pay a premium.
- Signing grade: A
This represents a significant statement of intent from the Commanders. They are pushing all their chips into the middle in pursuit of maximizing Daniels' rookie contract. There's no better way to do that than providing the dynamic signal-caller with a franchise-caliber left tackle.
Commanders signed Javon Kinlaw
The Washington Commanders wasted no time in finding a replacement for recently released veteran Jonathan Allen. They raised a few eyebrows by signing Javon Kinlaw within hours of the legal tampering window opening.
Kinlaw signed a three-year, $45 million deal that came with $30 million guaranteed. While Adam Peters knows the player well from their time together with the San Francisco 49ers, the money attached to this acquisition was astonishing.
The lineman's career was impacted by injury in San Francisco. Kinlaw landed on the New York Jets in 2024 but never reached the level expected. He often became a liability and fans couldn't wait to see him go. That makes the signing even more bemusing.
Washington wants to go bigger in the trenches. Kinlaw is a formidable presence to move off the block. Peters believes he can offer something a little different. And make no mistake, the general manager has earned plenty of trust from the fans for his exceptional roster construction since taking the general manager job.
- Signing grade: B-
This could be a shrewd piece of business by the Commanders if Kinlaw seizes the opportunity alongside Daron Payne and Johnny Newton on the defensive line interior. But the money looks like an overpay until further notice.
Even so, confidence is high thanks in no small part to Peters' outstanding personnel evaluation.
Commanders re-signed Bobby Wagner
Bobby Wagner's impact on the Washington Commanders cannot be overstated. The veteran linebacker remained highly productive on the field. He also spearheaded a sensational locker room culture shift through professionalism and leadership.
Wagner's partnership with Frankie Luvu at the defensive second level became a significant strength. The future Pro Football Hall of Famer might not be the sideline-to-sideline presence of old, but his experience and veteran savvy were more than enough to warrant another one-year commitment.
This was a no-brainer. Wagner has unfinished business in Washington and wants to see another year of this ambitious project. It allows the Commanders to bring along Jordan Magee at their own pace after an injury-hit rookie campaign. Considering this team is ready to win right now, the Utah State product was a must-retain by the organization.
- Signing grade: A
Whether this is Wagner's final NFL season hasn't been disclosed. The player doesn't have long left at 35 years old when the 2025 campaign arrives, so the Commanders will be hoping he goes out with a bang.
The Commanders think Wagner has a lot of goof football left. Based on last season's production en route to Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors, it's not hard to see why.
Commanders re-signed Zane Gonzalez
The Commanders had another eventful year in their kicking room. Brandon McManus didn't last long after signing in free agency. Austin Seibert's exceptional start was abruptly halted by injury. Washington had to pivot, turning to Zane Gonzalez for help at an important time.
Gonzalez has been a journeyman throughout his career. He doesn't have the biggest leg but is accurate. That proved to be the case in Washington. It was a solid if not spectacular campaign from the veteran, but the Commanders feel like he could have something more to offer with a full offseason under his belt.
There was a lot to like about his production. Gonzalez wasn't perfect, hitting 71.4 percent of his field goal attempts and 100% of his extra points. But the Commanders believe he's got something to offer moving forward, agreeing to terms on a one-year deal worth $1.17 million.
- Signing grade: B
Re-upping with Gonzalez shouldn't stop the Commanders from finding another kicker in free agency or via the college ranks. Expect another arrival or Seibert to be extended, which would lead to a hotly-contested competition for the No. 1 job over the summer.
Commanders re-signed Zach Ertz
Zach Ertz made a lasting contribution when all hope seemed to be fading regarding his career outlook. The veteran tight end opted to reunite with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury in pursuit of resurrecting his NFL aspirations. It was a good decision that benefitted the Commanders enormously.
Ertz quickly became a dependable target for quarterback sensation Jayden Daniels. The former second-round pick came up with the goods in key moments and proved efficient in the red zone. His flair for the big occasion came to the fore during Washington's playoff run, so retaining him was an easy conclusion.
The Commanders extended Ertz for another year. Like Wagner, this could be the final year of his Pro Bowl playing career. Hopefully, he'll continue his role as a solid on-field contributor and exceptional mentor for Ben Sinnott.
- Signing grade: A
Washington opted to stand pat at the tight end position. Although that's a risk considering Ertz's age, there's also hope Sinnott can become more influential in the passing game with another offseason to develop his craft.
Commanders tendered Chris Rodriguez Jr.
The Washington Commanders got first refusal on Chris Rodriguez Jr. as an exclusive rights free agent. Although the coaching staff didn't trust him enough at the business end of the campaign, they want to see if he can develop further entering his third season.
Washington slapped an exclusive rights tender on Rodriguez to prevent him from speaking with other teams. Things looked bleak for the former sixth-round pick once upon a time, but he deserves tremendous credit for displaying the resolve to bounce back and give himself a fighting chance.
Rodriguez ran with urgency and purpose last season when his number was called. Fans were disappointed the Kentucky product never got more of a look when Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler were either injured or regressing. Now, he'll get a chance to force the issue and leave no doubt.
- Signing grade: B+
This shouldn't stop the Commanders from drafting a running back, especially considering Ekeler and Robinson are both entering the final year of their deals. But Rodriguez represents a decent insurance policy that could become something more.
Commanders re-signed John Bates
Zach Ertz wasn't the only tight end to get another commitment from the Commanders. The team also inked John Bates to a new three-year deal, which keeps the blocking specialist around despite his limited involvement in the passing game last season.
The Commanders didn't need Bates to become a focal point in the passing attack. That's why they brought Ertz into the fold. This allowed the former fourth-round pick to focus on what he does best, providing assistance in pass protection and helping plow running lanes at the second level.
This was somewhat surprising to fans, but reports suggested Bates would have a decent market in free agency given the need for blocking standouts. Adam Peters offered long-term security with a three-year deal to ensure complications were kept to a minimum.
- Signing grade: B+
With Ertz re-signing and Ben Sinnott projected to get more involved after being used sparingly as a rookie, Bates will have a similar role in 2025. He's carved out a decent niche for himself and was rewarded accordingly.
Commanders re-signed Tress Way
Tress Way is a popular figure among the fanbase and in the locker room. He's not getting any younger, but re-signing the Pro Bowler was all but guaranteed.
This is something the Commanders accomplished with little fuss. Way penned a one-year, $2.8 million deal before the legal tampering window. With veteran defensive tackle Jonathan Allen no longer around, the special teams ace is one of the last remaining figures from a bygone era in Washington.
Way deserves another deal. Nobody would have complained if this was a longer-term commitment, but both sides are taking things on a year-by-year basis. This is understandable considering he will be 35 years old next month.
- Signing grade: A+
This is a win-win for the Commanders. Way is revered by his peers and still performing at a high level. He was an innocent bystander earlier in the campaign thanks to Washington's efficient offense, but he almost always produced the goods when needed.