The Washington Commanders have a lot riding on their next few games before and after their bye week. How they fare could shape general manager Adam Peters' thinking ahead of the upcoming trade deadline.
And it could legitimately go either way.
Peters didn't make any bold incoming trades this offseason. The front-office leader certainly won't be making any after a 1-3-1 start that could get even worse unless the team makes significant improvements.
Commanders' trade deadline stance will be shaped by the next three games
But if the Commanders' losing streak continues, could Peters look to stockpile draft picks by shipping off veterans with market value?
It's certainly possible. Though that would involve waving the white flag on the 2026 campaign.
And with all the heat currently on head coach Dan Quinn, it's the last thing he would want.
The Commanders can still change their narrative.
Morale might be low right now, but they almost beat the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2. They could have beaten the Dallas Cowboys if quarterback Jayden Daniels hadn't dislocated his elbow. And they should have beaten the New York Giants if not for an inexcusable final-play botch in overtime.
The record is the record. But if a few things had gone in Washington's favor, this is a very different story.
At the same time, this is a results business. And if the Commanders don't start picking up some good ones, Peters may have no choice but to think about the future.
Commanders have been trade deadline sellers before under Josh Harris
That future might not include Quinn, in all honesty. So Peters should do what's best for the team, even if things get worse before they get better.
The Commanders' games before the November 10 trade deadline are difficult. First, it's the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football. After the bye, they face the Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Rams at home. If Washington goes 0-3, or even 1-2, in these contests, Peters faces a big decision.
Washington has done this before under Josh Harris' ownership. Peters wasn't around, but with Ron Rivera fighting a losing battle and big changes on the horizon, Washington traded the starting defensive end tandem of Montez Sweat and Chase Young before the 2023 deadline.
The same could happen again.
What comes next depends on Quinn and his squad.
If the Commanders can get things trending positively against some outstanding teams, Peters may decide to stand pat and see how things play out over the second half of 2026.
If things keep spiraling, the general manager could take more drastic measures for a sustainable future.
And it's a fine line.
Being sellers at the trade deadline means you're struggling. It means you're looking to the future, and it indicates how the front office truly sees the team's chances for the rest of the season.
That's still to be determined, but a few established players could be pieces teams are looking at for their puzzle if the price is right.
Only Quinn can take this thought off the table. And if he can't, and the Commanders do end up selling, he can kiss any chance of holding onto his job goodbye.
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