Adam Peters was not going to stand by and watch the edge-rushing market without taking action. The Washington Commanders needed more young, explosive rushers capable of causing more havoc in opposing backfields. The general manager has seemingly accomplished this feat throughout the legal tampering window.
Odafe Oweh was the first to agree to a four-year, $100 million deal with $68 million guaranteed. That was a big splash, but Peters wasn't done.
Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network revealed that Washington has also agreed to terms with K'Lavon Chaisson. It's a one-year deal worth up to $12 million, adding to the pass-rushing arsenal at new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones' disposal.
Commanders' K'Lavon Chaisson deal all but confirms Von Miller's exit
This also confirmed what Commanders fans already knew about Von Miller's status with the club moving forward.
Miller arrived late to the franchise last summer. He ended up playing more than expected thanks to the countless devastating injuries. The future Pro Football Hall of Fame even finished as the team's sack leader, which wasn't exactly a high bar but impressive nonetheless for someone firmly at the tail-end of his glittering career.
The former Texas A&M standout wants to keep playing. Miller highlighted his desire to remain with the Commanders. Unfortunately, the moves made so far make that scenario increasingly unlikely.
Oweh and Chaisson immediately upgraded the room. Dorance Armstrong Jr. is expected to make a successful return from injury, and he'll be highly motivated in a contract year. Javontae Jean-Baptiste, together with the re-signings of Deatrich Wise Jr. and Drake Jackson, could fill out the depth chart.
That probably leaves Miller on the outside looking in. He performed well enough to get another opportunity elsewhere in his quest to chase a ring before riding off into the proverbial sunset of his NFL journey. But the Commanders had no option other than to get younger and more dynamic across the board.
Chaisson is ascending, based on his breakout with the New England Patriots last season. His overall body of work isn't great, but the Commanders clearly see him as someone with his best years ahead, and that his upturn in performance levels in 2025 could be the start of something special.
Peters couldn't keep faith with aging veterans past their peak. His two most recent additions — Chaisson and linebacker Leo Chenal — spell the end for Miller and Bobby Wagner. That's not easy, but it was the only way this project was going to get back on track.
Nothing else would have sufficed.