Adam Peters wasn't going to let complacency creep into his roster-building approach despite the Washington Commanders reaching the NFC Championship game in 2024. The general manager got his ambitious project off to the best possible start. Ensuring this becomes a stepping stone to perennial contention is the next (and trickier) task.
Peters pushed his chips into the middle when the recruitment period began. The Commanders re-signed a lot of their free agents. They acquired some savvy veterans on one-year deals. They also managed to pull off two bombshell trades for immediate difference-makers with glowing credentials.
The Commanders are well-placed to make another bold postseason bid next time around. They'll have a bigger target on their backs and a tougher schedule to contend with, but it would be hugely disappointing if head coach Dan Quinn didn't maximize the obvious tools at his disposal.
Instant success brings increased expectations. The Commanders achieved more than even the brightest optimist thought possible in Year 1 under the new regime. Fans are hopeful for the first time in decades, which is a different pressure for this close-knit group to cope with when competitive action begins again.
That's for the not-too-distant future. For now, here are five Commanders who'll benefit most from the team's offseason additions so far. We'll begin with the biggest beneficiary of all.
Commanders who'll benefit most from 2025 offseason additions
Jayden Daniels - Commanders QB
The Washington Commanders have a superstar on their hands in quarterback Jayden Daniels. This was also recognized by general manager Adam Peters, whose moves this offseason suggest an intent to maximize his rookie contract before things get more expensive.
Trading for wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. and left tackle Laremy Tunsil is going to assist Daniels greatly. It gives the Commanders another dynamic weapon in the passing game and one of the league's most prolific left tackles to protect the Heisman Trophy winner's blindside. It's also a supreme vote of confidence in the signal-caller after his sensational first campaign in the pros.
Daniels also has continuity. The Commanders kept faith with the running backs at their disposal, although that could change once the 2025 NFL Draft gets here. Veteran tight end Zach Ertz was re-signed along with Noah Brown and K.J. Osborn. This familiarity is a core component of any stable organization, but Peters won't rest until every potential upgrade has been explored.
Washington has two more years left before Daniels becomes extension-eligible. That's going to be extremely costly looking at current quarterback contracts and the salary-cap rising exponentially every season. Peters knows this and has become more aggressive than ever to take full advantage of this window.