The Washington Commanders needed to make a massive splash in free agency, and it needed to be on the defensive edge. General manager Adam Peters achieved this objective by spending lavish sums on Odafe Oweh.
Most around the league thought this was a good signing. Oweh is coming off a breakout second half of 2025 after being traded to the Los Angeles Chargers. He's cashed in with a four-year, $100 million deal with $68 million guaranteed in Washington.
This should help an anemic pass-rush. However, one NFL insider wasn't entirely convinced that this massive gamble would yield the desired results.
Commanders are expecting big returns from Odafe Oweh after massive investment
Ralph Vacchiano of FOX Sports named Oweh among his five riskiest signings of free agency's first wave. The insider acknowledged the Penn State product's upward trajectory in 2025. But the Commanders are expecting much more for the money involved.
"[Odafe] Oweh has been a good pass-rusher for most of his career, but he earned this payday with a legendary contract year. He had no sacks in his first five games last season before the Baltimore Ravens traded him to the Chargers. Then he had 7.5 over the final 12 games before adding a three-sack game in the playoffs. The Commanders are clearly counting on double-digit sacks from him. He’s 27, and maybe he’s ascending, but it seems like the Commanders mostly bought into his recent film."
Every megabucks signing is scrutinized or labeled as an overpay at some stage. However, this is something the Commanders simply had to get over the line.
Jaelan Phillips signed a four-year, $120 million deal with $80 in guarantees with the Carolina Panthers. The Commanders got the next best thing in Oweh, who is young, athletic, and capable of making a significant difference within coordinator Daronte Jones' schematic concepts.
With a bigger paycheck comes greater responsibilities. Oweh will go from a rotational presence to a legitimate three-down threat, which is a journey into the unknown for all involved. However, based on his 2025 production, coupled with a dominant three-sack showing in the playoffs, it's a risk well worth taking.
All signs are pointing up. Peters' defensive overhaul has been swift and decisive. There is more energy, vibrance, and aggression within the group now. Oweh is the biggest prize, and this massive financial commitment could be the confidence boost needed to take his game to levels not seen before.
And if Oweh ends up meeting expectations, nobody will care one bit about how much it cost to get him into the franchise.