Commanders approach trade deadline facing tough calls after aggressive spending

Adam Peters is in a tough spot with the 2025 trade deadline fast approaching. The Washington Commanders have been highly aggressive since he took charge, making some bold acquisitions with the team's Super Bowl window open. However, some flaws could be strengthened if the right opportunity comes along.

The Commanders aren't exactly flush with disposable assets. They are projected to have six picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. If Peters can find the right deal that benefits Washington's chances of going deep into the postseason once again, he won't hesitate to pull the trigger.

It'll be fascinating to see what Peters decides. Fans are skeptical about any trade rumors right now. They traded for Marshon Lattimore, Deebo Samuel Sr., and Laremy Tunsil. That might be all he needs, but one thing is for sure — nothing should be completely ruled out.

Commanders' trade deadline activity depends on Adam Peters' aggression

This was a subject discussed in greater detail by Kevin Patra from NFL.com. The analyst thought that if Peters wanted to be aggressive again — which is a big if after all his frantic recent activity — then identifying an upgrade in the secondary could be a risk worth taking.

Washington's bounce-back victory over L.A. showed improvement from the defense, which won at the line of scrimmage. That pressure aided a secondary that had been picked on early in the year, and Marshon Lattimore had his best coverage game of the season, allowing just 8.5 yards per catch on two grabs, per Pro Football Focus. That said, the secondary could still use some help on the outside and at free safety.

This makes sense, but only if the Commanders find the right fit — someone who can slot into the scheme immediately and not need a transitional period. That might be difficult, and it might not be cheap, but the opportunity awaiting Washington this season cannot be overstated.

Much will depend on how the Commanders fare in the coming weeks. They have some challenging games upcoming with no routine attached. If head coach Dan Quinn's squad delivers positive results, but they still lack one key piece, that's when Peters could make some calls.

Anything less, and Peters will probably stand pat. He wants to build through the draft, but some inept personnel moves from the previous regime mean a shifted approach was necessary. But in an ideal world, one more good draft could be enough for the front-office leader to return to his original strategy.

At the same time, the Commanders are in win-now mode while also focusing on the future. The smart money suggests that Peters won't make a move, but he's been known to spring surprises.

Watch this space, I guess...