When Adam Peters was asked about his thoughts on the roster Ron Rivera built, the long pause before answering told its own story. This was a franchise in desperate need of change. Thankfully, the new general manager had a plan to ensure things started trending upward as a matter of urgency.
The Washington Commanders have undergone significant changes this offseason. Very few free agents were retained. A plethora of new faces came into the fold without jeopardizing the team's future financial flexibility. Some established stars became surplus to requirements ahead of time.
Things look a lot different now. In just a few short months, Peters has changed Washington's ethos within the front office. He's moving with conviction and professionalism, rebuilding the foundations and putting the Commanders in a strong position heading into the 2024 NFL Draft. It's also increased the confidence among fans that the right men are in charge.
If Peters can utilize his hefty draft assets well, there's just no telling what this team could accomplish in the short and long term. Finding the quarterback capable of leading this ambitious project is the biggest piece of the puzzle, but hopes are high that Washington's thorough evaluations can lead them to the correct signal-caller.
For some still around, they'll be sleeping a little little easier. With this in mind, here are five Commanders players who were lucky to survive Peters' initial roster cull. However, there's still time for that to change.
Dax Milne - Commanders WR/KR
A forgotten man on the Washington Commanders, Dax Milne remains on the books for now. The wide receiver and kick returner didn't see the field at all in 2023 due to injury. Considering how well Jamison Crowder performed in his absence - enough for Adam Peters to hand him a new deal - it's surprising to see the BYU product still around.
It's not costing much for the new staff to see what they have in Milne. With the prospect of additional wide receiver reinforcements arriving via the 2024 NFL Draft and Washington's decision to re-sign Kazmeir Allen, the former seventh-round selection's situation remains precarious despite getting an early reprieve from Peters.
Things aren't looking great, but Milne needs to take on this challenge with determination in pursuit of forcing his way into the Commanders' plans moving forward.
Dyami Brown - Commanders WR
The Washington Commanders haven't done much at the wide receiver position this offseason. They had plenty of cash to splash on one of the marquee names in free agency or via the trade market. Something many anticipated general manager Adam Peters doing after Curtis Samuel bolted for the Buffalo Bills.
Instead, Peters held firm. Olamide Zaccheaus was the only notable addition, but it remains to be seen if he can become anything more than a rotational piece based on how his NFL career's unfolded up to now. Perhaps more surprising was the fact Dyami Brown wasn't removed from the equation.
Brown's physical gifts and cheap contract have given him countless chances to stake a claim. Unfortunately, he's flattered to deceive almost constantly. Not even the presence of his former college quarterback Sam Howell under center in 2023 could see the pass-catcher provide an upturn in production.
The former third-round pick out of North Carolina was targeted just 23 times throughout the 2023 campaign. Brown brought in just 12 of those for 168 receiving yards and no touchdowns. This takes his yardage number over his first three NFL seasons in Washington to a (not so) whopping 476.
Teams around the league generally get a good sense of what a player is or could be at the end of their third season. Brown hasn't shown anything to suggest he'll be a prolific wideout. If Peters had cut this experiment short with one year remaining on his rookie deal, nobody would have complained too much.
Brown got a reprieve during Peters' vast roster changes to kick off his first offseason as the team's general manager. However, that might not be the case for much longer.
The Commanders are expected to capitalize on an outstanding crop of wide receivers emerging from the college ranks. This could push Brown onto the fringes and perhaps even off the roster entirely unless significant improvements arrive under offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.
Trent Scott - Commanders OT
It was a season to forget for the Washington Commanders offensive line in 2023. The offseason acquisitions made by Ron Rivera came with a fair share of skepticism attached. Unfortunately, they couldn't even meet modest expectations as Sam Howell became the league's most sacked quarterback within Eric Bieniemy's pass-dependent offensive scheme.
This cannot continue if the Commanders want to maximize their substantial upcoming investment. Adam Peters will be selecting a quarterback at No. 2 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. Providing their new rookie signal-caller with clean pockets is the only way this shift in course is going to pay dividends.
Despite releasing Charles Leno Jr., the Commanders didn't do much to fortify their edge options from the veteran pool. Cornelius Lucas was re-signed, but he's more of a swing tackle than a starting-caliber option. There's also the presence of Trent Scott to consider.
Scott came into the fold as part of Rivera's desperate last attempt to improve depth. He was a bit-part player in 2023, featuring in just 138 snaps on offense. This was a damning indictment of how his talent was perceived when one considers how much others were struggling to find form.
Nobody would have batter an eyelid if Peters had released Scott as part of his grand plans for progress. The former undrafted free agent out of Grambling State is counting just $1.47 million against the salary cap and $1.27 million of that would be saved by an early departure. Surprisingly, this hasn't arrived as yet.
Scott survived the first big challenge. But there is another massive obstacle upcoming.
Much like the situation at wide receiver, the Commanders are likely looking toward the 2024 NFL Draft for a long-term blindside presence and perhaps even a right tackle for good measure depending on how things shake out. Multiple reinforcements would place Scott's future firmly under the microscope once again.
Efe Obada - Commanders DL
Efe Obada is a good player and is a fantastic feel-good story. The defensive lineman has proven his worth as a dependable, versatile option on the rotation capable of stepping in at a moment's notice to make his presence felt. That said, a serious injury suffered during the 2023 season was a devastating blow.
Obada broke his leg after just five games. The Nigerian-born player faced a long road back to health. As it turned out, a heartfelt text of support from Dan Quinn provided the spark to the pair joining forces with the Washington Commanders this offseason.
After winning over Adam Peters and Josh Harris' ownership group, Quinn got his second head coaching opportunity in the nation's capital. Obada's future was less certain given his injury and the fact he was out of contract.
Not many anticipated the Commanders keeping Obada around. Considering Peters' intent to adopt a business-first model with no sentiment attached to the team's decision-making process, it wasn't looking too promising for an extended stay.
However, Obada got another one-year deal. This might have come on the recommendation of Quinn, who thinks highly of the player and wants to see what he can offer once Washington's medical staff gives him the all-clear to resume football activities. The Commanders acquired several free-agent veterans to bolster their defensive front, so his new contract comes with no guarantee he'll get prominent playing time - especially if another explosive weapon is acquired during the 2024 NFL Draft.
Despite the uncertainty, this represents the best possible outcome for Obada in the circumstances. It can be seen as a lucky escape to a certain extent, but Quinn becoming head coach represented the stars aligning for the veteran as he continues his road to recovery in the coming weeks.
What comes next is down to Obada. But he won't be found wanting for effort or taking anything for granted that's for sure.
Andrew Wylie - Commanders OT
Andrew Wylie was the marquee free-agent addition for the Washington Commanders in 2023. This didn't exactly wow fans, but it was the best those in power could do with the team's ownership in flux and not much spare cash to throw around.
Wylie was coming off a memorable Super Bowl performance against a stout Philadelphia Eagles defensive front. This played a significant role in the Kansas City Chiefs emerging victorious, which was enough for the Commanders to hand him a decent contract to reunite the player with offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy in a different environment.
Big things were expected of Wylie, but he failed to meet these lofty expectations. He had some nice moments and was perhaps overly criticized on occasion. That said, the Commanders didn't make such a big financial commitment for anything less than stellar consistency he couldn't provide enough.
With a new regime and different ideas coming into the fold, Wylie faced an uncertain future this offseason. The Commanders showed they could be ruthless by releasing Nick Gates after just one season. Fortunately for the Eastern Michigan college product, those in power feel like he might be able to improve his production once other positions across the protection were upgraded.
This is subject to change depending on what occurs during the 2024 NFL Draft. Peters needs to find a franchise left tackle once a new rookie quarterback is chosen at No. 2 overall. It seems highly unlikely that Washington will roll with two inexperienced edge protectors, so Wylie might get the first chance to start on the right-hand side provided he impresses throughout the offseason.
Wylie is the fourth-highest-paid player on the Commanders with a $9.41 million salary cap hit in 2024. If he does get another opportunity to prove his worth - which seems likely at this juncture - he'll need to justify this level of pay grade and make things easier for Washington's new quarterback. Anything less will see his time with the franchise conclude in 2025.