The Washington Commanders have money to spend and a lot of roster holes to fill in free agency. General manager Adam Peters should aggressively pursue veteran targets of interest, and this remains an ambitious project that could intrigue even if things don't go well in 2026.
Finding productive defensive players at all three levels should be a high priority for Peters. This unit was old and lacked the desired athleticism or motivation last season. With a new coordinator joining the team, the Commanders need to make the necessary moves to ensure his transition goes smoothly.
Several high-profile names have already been linked to the Commanders. One, in particular, got the chance to bolster the dollars on his demands during championship weekend. However, it brought some severe red flags instead.
Commanders get extra doubt before potential Riq Woolen pursuit in free agency
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen is lucky his lack of situational awareness didn't cost his team. He was inexplicably called for taunting at a critical stage of the contest. Right after, quarterback Matthew Stafford targeted him as a weak link, resulting in a touchdown to wide receiver Puka Nacua.
Woolen was lambasted by his teammates on the sidelines for his complete lack of discipline. Fortunately, it didn't matter, with quarterback Sam Darnold turning in a virtuoso display to get Seattle over the hump and into the Super Bowl.
This may not go unnoticed when the time comes to decide Woolen's future, either. He's a free agent this spring, and the Seahawks have a big decision to make. If the defensive back hits the open market, there will be interest. But these unfortunate incidents could put teams off from splashing the cash.
Obviously, the Commanders will look at his overall body of work rather than these errors with everything on the line. They are also desperate for cornerback help, with only Mike Sainristil and Trey Amos guaranteed to be back in 2026. Once Marshon Lattimore is released as expected, the need for an experienced coverage presence cannot be overstated.
According to Spotrac, Woolen is projected to earn $8.18 million per year under a two-year, $16.37 million deal. That is pretty affordable for the Commanders, but it also comes with its fair share of concerns that must be alleviated before taking the plunge.
The Commanders need to find immediate difference-makers who can slot into prominent roles straight away. They also need to avoid gambling on veteran free agents at the tail end of their careers and focus more on free agents with a longer-term shelf life. Woolen fits into that category, but he'll need to be flawless in the Super Bowl to remove all doubts.
Peters and others around the league will be watching his performance and temperament closely.