The Washington Commanders are beaming with positivity after a campaign to remember in 2024. But for general manager Adam Peters and his staff, they've already turned the page.
Plans are being formed for the upcoming recruitment period. Fans had this at the back of their minds thanks to a phenomenal playoff run that ended in the NFC Championship game. Looking at the way Peters has gone about his business up to now, he is always thinking two steps ahead.
Speculation is running rampant about which new arrivals will join Washington's ambitious project that is way ahead of schedule. There's also the small matter of the free agents who gave everything to the cause this season.
Dozens of players — from established starters to core depth pieces and everything in between — are awaiting their fate. Some will be moved on. Others will get better offers from elsewhere. A select few will get high priority from Peters in pursuit of maintaining some semblance of continuity.
It'll be interesting to see how Peters approaches this issue. With this in mind, here are five Commanders free agents most likely to re-sign with the team in 2025.
We'll begin with standout safety Jeremy Chinn.
Commanders free agents most likely to re-sign in 2025
Jeremy Chinn - Commanders S
The Washington Commanders saw something in Jeremy Chinn that could be salvaged. The talented safety reportedly turned down more money from the Pittsburgh Steelers to join Dan Quinn's defense.
It was a match made in heaven.
Chinn was eager to silence his doubters after becoming an afterthought within Ejiro Evero's 3-4 base defense on the Carolina Panthers. This energy and being deployed to suit his skill set saw the former second-round selection return to something like his old self.
The Commanders allowed Chinn to use his instincts. He was impactful at the defensive second level and grew in confidence as the campaign went on. Even his coverage support — a source of frustration earlier in his career — improved sufficiently.
This was the biggest positive imaginable for Chinn at an important time. The Commanders signed the Southern Illinois product to a one-year, prove-it deal. They must be satisfied with what they see and react accordingly.
Chinn did more than enough for a longer-term commitment from the Commanders. Adam Peters would be wise to sort out an extension before things get more complicated in free agency.
Otherwise, the Commanders could end up losing Chinn following his impressive bounce-back campaign.
Tress Way - Commanders P
Tress Way has been around the Washington Commanders for a long time. He's been one of the few constants throughout some dark times for the franchise. The punter deserved to experience the good times more than most.
Way was an innocent bystander early in the campaign. The Commanders' ultra-efficient offense led by Kliff Kingsbury and Jayden Daniels meant his punting services weren't required all that much. When the Pro Bowler was called upon, he almost always delivered the goods.
Although Way isn't getting any younger, he's still performing at a high level. His 46.9 yards per punt were the highest since 2021. The former Oklahoma standout's 44% of punts inside the 20-yard-line represented solid if not spectacular output.
More importantly, Way's leadership came to the fore. The Commanders depended upon him heavily through times of struggle before the new regime took charge. There's no sentiment attached to Adam Peters' decision-making process, but the least he deserves is another deal.
It doesn't have to be anything more than a year-to-year deal at this stage of Way's career. After experiencing almost nothing but misery over his 11 years in Washington, he's just happy to be along for the ride.
Bobby Wagner - Commanders LB
The Commanders convincing Bobby Wagner to join their exciting project represented a major statement of intent. This instantly legitimized the proposals outlined by the new regime. Although advancing in years, the cerebral linebacker was still performing among the league's best second-level enforcers.
Wagner's impact cannot be overstated. The former second-round pick out of Utah State taught this revamped group how to be professional. He helped spearhead a dramatic culture shift and installed a winning mentality. As for the on-field production? It remained exemplary.
His partnership with Frankie Luvu became the beating heart of Washington's defense. Both Wagner and his teammate earned second-team All-Pro selections thanks to their sterling efforts. When the Commanders went through a mini-slump, the perennial All-Pro spoke passionately to the locker room and got the desired response.
This was everything the Commanders hoped for and more. Wagner's recent social media post suggested he's not ready to hang up his cleats just yet. His consistency and overall influence were primary catalysts behind Washington's resurgence. This should be rewarded with a new deal.
Wagner could generate interest from elsewhere. His former head coach Pete Carroll is now with the Las Vegas Raiders, so the Commanders must act swiftly to ensure complications are kept to a minimum.
Noah Igbinoghene - Commanders CB
The Washington Commanders had to take drastic action in their cornerback room early in the campaign. When defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.'s boundary options weren't meeting the required standard, it forced the coaching staff into a change of pace.
Washington took a calculated risk by switching second-round rookie Mike Sainristil from the slot to the outside. Noah Igbinoghene went from a rotational piece to the team's nickel option. It was far from perfect, but it quickly became a big step in the right direction.
Igbinoghene always had talent. He was a former first-round pick who never quite reached his billing with the Miami Dolphins. Dan Quinn thought enough of the defensive back to bring him to Washington from the Dallas Cowboys. It took a while, but the light finally came on.
The Auburn product conceded 56.3 percent of his targets and an 86.4 passer rating when targeted. Igbinoghene wasn't great against the run, but there was far more good than bad regarding his performance levels.
Washington will probably add another cornerback to go along with Marshon Lattimore and Sainristil next season. That said, there's more than enough merit to bringing Igbinoghene back on another short-term deal to see if he can build on this newfound positivity and starting experience.
Zach Ertz - Commanders TE
The Commanders thought Zach Ertz had some good football left. That wasn't an opinion shared by most around the league after his career tailed off in the two seasons prior.
Ertz was snapped up by Washington quickly. They thought his leadership would be an asset to the tight end room. Reuniting with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury also brought enthusiasm to his arrival.
The former second-round pick established himself immediately. Ertz earned respect in the locker room and developed some encouraging chemistry with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. He backed this up with dependability in a competitive environment to prove there is still a bit of gas left in the tank.
He came up big in critical moments. Ertz created separation across the middle and gave Daniels some nice throwing windows throughout the campaign. The three-time Pro Bowler thrived down the stretch and during the postseason to further enhance his influence.
Ertz was a tremendous acquisition and a nice surprise. The Stanford product outlined his desire to continue playing. He also made no secret of his desire to remain in Washington and help this franchise progress.
The Commanders will want to get Ben Sinnott more involved. However, having a savvy veteran like Ertz to rely upon makes him likely to re-sign at some stage during the offseason.