Adam Peters knew what he had to do this offseason. The Washington Commanders completely capitulated last season when most were expecting another bold Super Bowl run. The general manager went all-in, but things quickly unraveled.
The Commanders won five games. They got ahead of themselves, and complacency set in after such a wonderful start to head coach Dan Quinn's tenure. Injuries didn't help, but the foundation built crumbled as quickly as it came alive.
Washington's porous defense was a major cause for its demise. Joe Whitt Jr. was fired, but the personnel needed a massive overhaul. Peters duly delivered, and he put up his money to ensure the necessary improvements arrived immediately.
Commanders splashed the cash on defense to make the improvements needed
According to Warren Sharp of Sharp Analytics, the Commanders have the sixth-most expensive defense entering 2026 at $165.81 million. This signifies the longer contracts Peters handed out this offseason, which were desperately needed. Washington is finally making moves with the future in mind rather than relying on aging veterans chasing one last shot at a ring. This cannot be seen as anything other than positive.
Fans were demanding nothing less. Couple this with the introduction of new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones, and it would be a letdown of epic proportions if the desired strides weren't made.
The likes of Daron Payne ($27.95 million), Javon Kinlaw ($16.2 million), and Dorance Armstrong Jr. ($12.05 million) carry the biggest 2026 salary-cap hits. Edge rusher Odafe Oweh signed a four-year, $96 million deal with $68 million guaranteed. K'Lavon Chaisson, Amik Robertson, Leo Chenal, and Nick Cross were other notable additions from the veteran pool. But arguably the most important is just starting his NFL journey.
That, of course, is Sonny Styles.
The Commanders got a gift they weren't going to waste when Styles fell out of the top five and into their laps at No. 7 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. He got a fully guaranteed $37.21 million contract, which isn't chump change. Still, this will be a bargain if the Ohio State product fulfills expectations and becomes a franchise cornerstone at the linebacker spot.
Peters has made the hefty investments. Jones has the innovative ideas and aggressive concepts to maximize the latest injection of youth and dynamism. There are many new pieces to mold into a cohesive unit, but there is significant urgency in the building to put in the work now to make things easier later.
It's a lot of money, but Peters maintained Washington's future financial flexibility. And in all honesty, he didn't have another choice.
Let's hope every cent pays off.
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