5 new salary-cap casualties the Commanders should investigate this offseason

Adam Peters is making his way through roster decisions before the NFL's legal tampering window opens. The dominoes have already started to fall around the league, with salary-cap casualties, contract extensions, and even a few bombshell trades taking the limelight before the busiest time of year.

The Commanders acquired Deebo Samuel Sr. for a fifth-round selection. They extended Bobby Wagner, which was richly deserved after a significant contribution on and off the field in 2024. Peters also cut two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jonathan Allen after failing to find a trade partner, saving $16.47 million on their cap along the way.

More moves are coming. The Commanders only have 46 players under contract with $80.75 million in available salary-cap space. No stone will be left unturned by Peters, who knows Washington's window for contention is open and will be aggressive to ensure Dan Quinn has the tools needed to make another deep playoff run in 2025.

Those plans could include some who were deemed surplus to requirements elsewhere. Teams are frantically trying to put themselves in a better financial position before free agency. Good players have already been cut for salary-cap purposes. That won't go unnoticed by Peters as part of another roster regeneration in the coming weeks.

With this in mind, here are five salary-cap sacrifices the Commanders could potentially acquire in 2025.

Salary cap casualties Commanders should consider signing in 2025

Commanders could sign Tyler Lockett

The Seattle Seahawks are currently undertaking an offensive reset. They've made prolific wide receiver D.K. Metcalf available for trade, although the asking price needs to come down before a move becomes realistic. That wasn't the case with veteran quarterback Geno Smith, who was shipped to the Las Vegas Raiders for a third-round selection.

Seattle also released Tyler Lockett after a decade-long stint with the franchise. His production dipped in 2024 and he's 32 years old, but this could be an intriguing rotational piece for the Washington Commanders to go alongside the wideout options they currently possess.

The Commanders have Terry McLaurin, Deebo Samuel Sr., and Luke McCaffrey under contract. There's a growing sense Noah Brown will be re-signed to provide a big-bodied presence. That's unlikely to be the case with Dyami Brown, who could get decent money elsewhere after much-improved performances down the stretch.

Lockett would be nothing more than a short-term option. He represents another savvy route-runner capable of giving Jayden Daniels some easy-throwing windows. If the pass-catcher is willing to accept a low offer to join a contending team, it's something to consider.

Commanders could sign Javon Hargrave

Jonathan Allen's departure seemed inevitable long before the veteran defensive lineman was permitted to seek a trade. His leadership in the locker room remained a significant asset. Unfortunately, his on-field performances no longer justified the salary coming in the final year of his deal.

The Washington Commanders did right by Allen, allowing him to gauge offers before the legal tampering window as a released player. For Adam Peters, attention turns to finding a replacement capable of making a difference alongside Daron Payne and Johnny Newton on the interior.

Peters has a wealth of options. Free agency is one possibility. The Commanders could take advantage of a deep draft class for defensive linemen for a cheaper, longer-term piece. The general manager might also turn to someone he knows well for a quicker fix.

Javon Hargrave is looking for alternative employment following his release. Peters was part of the San Francisco 49ers' brain trust which acquired the lineman in free agency from the Philadelphia Eagles. Injuries prevented him from making a lasting contribution, but he's healthy and ready to seize another opportunity.

Much will depend on the money involved. Hargrave's made a ton of that during his career, so the Commanders should check in on his health to see if there is some merit to bringing him on board.

Commanders could sign Harold Landry III

Adding to the edge-rushing room is something the Commanders will do this offseason. Speculation remains about a potential trade for Myles Garrett or Trey Hendrickson. Time will tell on that front, but adding more than one prolific pass-rusher wouldn't be the worst idea in the world from Adam Peters' perspective.

Some notable names have been released before free agency to further bolster the possibilities at Peters' disposal. Harold Landry III is among them after his time with the Tennessee Titans was brought to an abrupt halt.

Landry's been a dynamic pass-rusher over the last two seasons, racking up 19.5 sacks to bring his career total to 50.5. He reached the Pro Bowl in 2021 with a 12-sack campaign. Unfortunately for the Boston College product, a torn ACL ruled him out for the entire 2022 season.

Another area where Landry stands out is against the run. He sets a clean edge and has the violent hands needed to shed blocks in pursuit when runners head in his direction. This is an area that the Commanders sorely lacked in 2024, which only raises the level of intrigue.

The former second-round pick is not your typical aging veteran cast aside with nothing left to give. Landry will be 29 years old next season with a lot of good football left. One could argue he'd be an upgrade on anything Washington has right now, although they could be thinking bigger.

Commanders could sign Evan Engram

It seems like the Washington Commanders will re-sign Zach Ertz. The three-time Pro Bowler galvanized his career under offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury in 2024, becoming a focal point of the passing attack and coming up with some huge plays in key moments.

Ertz deserves another commitment from the franchise. They also have second-round pick Ben Sinnott, who was used sparingly by the coaching staff during his rookie campaign. With John Bates set to enter free agency and potentially get a nice offer from elsewhere due to his blocking capabilities, the Commanders might be looking for another tight end to provide immediate assistance.

Evan Engram was a surprising release by the Jacksonville Jaguars. The former first-round pick dealt with some injury issues last season, but his pass-catching and assured route-running will generate interest. It's also worth remembering the player accumulated 187 receptions for 1,729 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in the two seasons before 2024.

This might not be something the Commanders contemplate if Ertz signs an extension. But no team can ever have enough good pass-catching tight ends, so nothing should be dismissed at this juncture.

If Engram did join, which seems unlikely, Sinnott would fill Bates' role as the blocking specialist as he develops other areas of his game.

Commanders could sign Joey Bosa

As previously mentioned, the Commanders need help on the edge if they want to keep pace with the Philadelphia Eagles. Failing to stop outside runs effectively was a leading factor behind their eventual demise in the NFC Championship game. That must be rectified as a matter of urgency by general manager Adam Peters this offseason.

The options are plentiful. Considering the Commanders need to find immediate difference-makers capable of slotting into the team's culture shift, getting one or two capable performers from the veteran pool seems feasible.

Joey Bosa is among the more high-profile names on the market. The prolific edge force was among the league's best once upon a time. Unfortunately, injuries had a catastrophic impact on his final three seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Bosa featured 14 times last season but lost some of the explosiveness that made him elite. However, his savvy football mind and experience ensured he remained a commanding presence against the run.

That wasn't enough to warrant the whooping salary coming his way in 2025 and Bosa is now searching for a new home. Speculation is rising about joining his brother Nick Bosa on the San Francisco 49ers, but one NFL analyst recently tabbed the Commanders as another potential landing spot for the Ohio State product.

This seems unlikely, but fans should also expect the unexpected during what promises to be a fascinating fortnight ahead.

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