Adam Peters successfully navigated his second recruitment period. The Washington Commanders are in a stronger roster position, but not everyone will join them when the 2025 season begins.
The Commanders wanted to raise standards and increase competition this offseason. Peters was meticulous, making some tough choices and being more aggressive in pursuit of getting over the hump. Expectations have risen exponentially after a sensational surge into playoff contention during the first season under new head coach Dan Quinn. But the one-season wonder tag awaits if Washington doesn't build on this promising momentum.
Everything must be earned by the players as preparations for the new season gather pace. The Commanders have no room for passengers, and Peters' ruthless approach to his roster building also raises the stakes significantly. Some will thrive under increased pressure. Others will fail to meet expectations and won't come along for the ride.
With this in mind, here are five Commanders players who could watch their careers collapse during the 2025 offseason.
Commanders who could watch their careers collapse this offseason
Michael Deiter - Commanders OL
Most Washington Commanders fans were surprised when Michael Deiter got a new one-year extension from the franchise this offseason. The offensive lineman is versatile, which was his saving grace. However, the protection notably regressed whenever he was tasked with starting reps during the 2024 campaign.
Deiter will get the chance to fight for a roster spot this offseason. The former third-round pick out of Wisconsin could make the team as Tyler Biadasz's backup at the center spot. However, the Commanders also signed Nate Herbig in free agency, who'll fancy his chances of making an impact with better luck on the health front.
Herbig missed the entire 2024 season with a torn rotator cuff. The Stanford graduate has a more promising outlook after departing the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he's eager to make up for some lost time. That increases the urgency for Deiter, so his status with the Commanders is hanging by a thread.
Deiter is an experienced veteran. He'll know how high the stakes are heading into the business end of Washington's offseason program. Anything less than improvements and outperforming Herbig will do. Otherwise, the Commanders will inevitably cut this experiment short.
This is the price of progress. If those in power believe Herbig could provide more efficiency as Washington's swing option on the interior, they won't hesitate to send Deiter packing.
Fentrell Cypress II - Commanders CB
The Washington Commanders improved their cornerback unit this offseason. This should help them cope better with some exceptional passing attacks on the 2025 schedule, but anyone not pulling their weight isn't going to last long.
Washington signed two-time Super Bowl winner Jonathan Jones in free agency, ending his glittering spell with the New England Patriots. Adam Peters also spent the No. 61 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft on Trey Amos, who had a first-round grade but fell through the cracks after a back issue surfaced during his pre-draft assessments.
If Amos and Jones both meet their billing, the Commanders will be in a good spot. If Marshon Lattimore bounces back, Mike Sainristil continues his ascent to superstardom, and Noah Igbinoghene builds on the most promising campaign of his professional career, this unit could become a real force in 2025.
That makes it more difficult for players like Fentrell Cypress II to make an impression. The undrafted free agent is starting from the bottom and must work his way up the ranks. He's got some impressive athletic attributes to call upon, but the margin for error is razor-thin.
If Cypress manages to book his place on the practice squad, that represents a huge accomplishment.
Dominique Hampton - Commanders LB/S
There was some intrigue around the Commanders' spending a fifth-round selection on Dominique Hampton last spring. The physical safety starred for the Washington Huskies during their memorable run to the college football national championship game. Hopes were high that he could transition smoothly and make a rookie contribution at some stage.
That didn't come to fruition. Hampton struggled to make an impression at the safety spot. The Commanders switched him to the defensive second level, which was enough to see him make the 53-man roster when it could have easily gone the other way.
It was a big accomplishment for Hampton, even if he had to change positions to achieve his goal. The Commanders made him a healthy scratch more often than not throughout the 2024 campaign, but being around the locker room and learning what it takes to be a solid professional from the likes of Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu will have aided his early development considerably.
What comes next for Hampton is more important. The Commanders have Jordan Magee back to full health, and they also drafted Kain Medrano. That makes spaces limited in the linebacker room, so anything less than major improvements could see him off the squad when push comes to shove.
That would be deeply disappointing, but it cannot be completely dismissed. Especially considering that Hampton remains an unknown quantity.
Michael Gallup - Commanders WR
Michael Gallup decided that one year of retirement was enough. The wide receiver still had goals to achieve and a burning desire to play. And he thought the Washington Commanders represented the best place to resume his playing career.
Gallup knows Dan Quinn, some other staff, and several players well from his time with the Dallas Cowboys. Being let go by Washington's bitter NFC East rival was a devastating blow. When things weren't the same with the Las Vegas Raiders, he decided to walk away from the gridiron entirely.
The former third-round pick out of Colorado State was an exceptional performer once upon a time. Gallup looked like a potential superstar after going over 1,100 receiving yards in 2019, but he never quite reached the same heights despite some solid production.
After a year away to get healthy and refocused, Gallup believes he can help the Commanders. It's not costing Washington much to find out whether he's still got something left in the tank, and they have other viable alternatives if he doesn't quite make the grade.
The league isn't exactly loaded with success stories of players who come out of retirement and try to make another go of things. Gallup is looking to turn the tide, but it could go either way.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. - Commanders RB
Chris Rodriguez Jr. is an interesting case. The former sixth-round pick didn't do enough to make the 53-man roster in 2024 following the additions of Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols. He came back onto the practice squad, which became a silver lining when all hope seemed lost.
Rodriguez got another chance to impress, albeit briefly. The Kentucky graduate flashed immense promise when opportunities came his way, gaining 4.9 yards per carry and finding the end zone twice in just 35 touches. Others were preferred, but the Commanders saw enough to hand the player another one-year deal this offseason.
It's another chance for Rodriguez to stake a claim. Brian Robinson Jr., Ekeler, and McNichols are still around. The Commanders also used their seventh-round selection to draft Jacory Croskey-Merritt, which adds another fascinating dynamic to the running back room heading into the offseason.
Things don't look especially promising for Rodriguez. Much will depend on how many running backs Washington takes through onto their 53-man roster, but he looks like the No. 5 option if Croskey-Merritt transitions smoothly.
Rodriguez will probably go back to the practice squad if he doesn't do enough. But a situation could also emerge where the Commanders cut their losses entirely if they aren't suitably impressed by his progress.
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