There was some surprise among the Washington Commanders' fan base when general manager Adam Peters held firm at the 2025 trade deadline. Speculation was rampant about potential outgoings with the team in free fall, but the front office leader didn't pull the trigger.
This represented a clear sign that the Commanders were not ready to give up on the season. Adding to the squad via trade was not an option, but Peters felt there were options around that could salvage something from the campaign. That loyalty was misplaced if Washington's embarrassing loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 10 was any indication.
The Commanders fluffed their lines yet again. Joe Whitt Jr.'s defense was horrendous, offering futile resistance to whatever the Lions were throwing at them. They looked old, slow, unprepared, and sapped of any confidence — not for the first time this season.
Commanders should have sold off assets before the 2025 trade deadline
Peters can't do anything about his decisions, neither during the offseason nor before the trade deadline. But he should have gotten what he could for whom he could as part of his long-term planning for the future.
Washington is projected to have around $84 million in salary-cap space with 34 players under contract in 2026. This will likely exceed $100 million once the required sacrifices are confirmed. However, the Commanders have only six selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, limiting the options Peters can bring in from the college ranks.
That would have changed had he parted ways with one or two veterans who won't be around much longer. Interest was reportedly high in some, but Peters felt the offers being received didn't meet the team's valuation. That's all well and good, but it does nothing to diminish the pressure on the front-office leader's shoulders during his critical third recruitment period at the helm.
Fans are starting to question Peters' roster-building methods. He inherited a complete mess from Ron Rivera, but that excuse is wearing thin. He pushed all his chips into the middle this season after Washington reached the NFC Championship game in Year 1 of his tenure. It's backfired spectacularly, so a seismic shift in approach is essential to get things back on track next spring.
Peters was the right man to lead Washington's ambitious project. He should also know that whatever ethos he's currently adopting just hasn't had the desired effect, and that changes must be made for a more sustainable future.
Hopefully, his decision not to offload assets for additional draft capital before the trade deadline won't come back to haunt him.