Expectations are higher than they've been in decades after the Washington Commanders went on a memorable run to the NFC Championship game. One NFL insider believes the time for Adam Peters to be more aggressive has arrived.
The Commanders are being linked with everything and everybody as the offseason rumor mill churns around the media. It's been a long time since Washington was an attractive destination for free agents or players seeking a trade away from their current employers. Peters has endless options, but choosing the right path is crucial.
Fans are excited for the future. The Commanders have the salary-cap space to be major players when free agency begins. They also have seven draft picks, although these are further down the pecking order than usual. There is stability and hope at long last with a structure in place built for sustained success.
It would be a surprise if the Commanders didn't add some extra urgency to their strategy. Their Super Bowl window is open and quarterback sensation Jayden Daniels has two more seasons left before he becomes extension-eligible. This is a critical stage of Peters' plan. Getting it right is imperative after such a positive start.
Respected insider proclaims Commanders time to strike has arrived
This was a sentiment echoed by Dan Graziano from ESPN. The respected insider implored the Commanders to seize the initiative and take advantage of their newly acquired momentum. While he thought spending for the sake of it wouldn't enter Peters' thought process, adding two or three legitimate difference-makers might be enough to get them over the hump.
"Yeah, this is the time to strike. Only the Patriots and Raiders currently project to have more cap space this offseason than Washington (roughly $78 million). That's not to say the Commanders should spend willy-nilly, but trying to maximize the quarterback's rookie deal is absolutely the way to go. They need to continue to work on the offensive line, particularly to the extent that it helps them establish a more reliable run game. And they could use another playmaking wide receiver. But the Commanders already have stars on offense and could really stand to add a big contributor or two on defense. "Dan Graziano
Having a franchise quarterback changes everything for Washington. Daniels is a superstar — a cold-blooded killer on the football field capable of coming through in the biggest moments. He's someone teammates (and players looking for a new challenge) will naturally gravitate towards. Couple this with the esteem in which head coach Dan Quinn is held around the league, and Peters convincing targets to join the Commanders is no longer a tough sell.
While that might be true, Peters still needs to find the right pieces. High-character individuals with leadership qualities were among the most coveted traits in his 2024 recruits. Expect the same trend to continue — albeit in a loftier class of players — this time around.
Putting together one remarkable campaign that galvanized an entire fanbase and woke a sleeping giant is all well and good. Making sure this is the start of a profitable period in franchise history is something else entirely. The Commanders are in the best possible hands with Peters, who came into the organization with a long-term plan in place that can be adjusted depending on the team's situation.
It's gone better than anticipated so far. The moves made in the coming months will likely determine how long it will take for Washington to hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy once again.