Commanders clearly already regret controversial offseason approach

When general manager Adam Peters was handed the keys to the Washington Commanders' kingdom, there was a lot of hard work ahead. When he was asked in an introductory presser about the roster he inherited, the long pause before answering spoke volumes.

The Commanders were in a mess. Peters took drastic action, gutting the roster of underperforming players who didn't fit into the franchise's new way of thinking. And it didn't matter about their age or draft status.

Everyone was fair game for the chop. The Commanders took a seismic shift, relying more on proven veterans at the tail-end of their respective careers. Ron Rivera's personnel evaluation capabilities took a significant hit, with many of his high-end selections sent packing way ahead of time.

Commanders' overreliance on veteran players hasn't reaped rewards so far

That trend continued this offseason. Peters thought it could bring similar success to the Commanders. Even so, it left the organization with the NFL's oldest roster heading into the 2025 campaign.

It's early days, but it's already starting to look like the Commanders could regret this decision.

Things are not clicking on offense. It's erratic from a defensive standpoint. The injuries to key personnel aren't exactly ideal, either.

There is a long way to go and a lot of football left, but things could be hanging precariously for the Commanders if they cannot beat the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 3. And they will be relying on veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota to get them over the line after franchise player Jayden Daniels was ruled out with a knee sprain.

Peters didn't have much choice when it came to his roster approach. Cutting the cord with underperforming players is more beneficial than dragging things out when the outcome is inevitable. This isn't going to change unless the front-office leader keeps stacking good drafts.

That's the best route to sustained success. Peters got mixed returns from his first draft class. It's way too early to judge his second, but depending on so many veterans who don't have much left to give was always going to be a gamble of epic proportions.

It hasn't paid off as yet. And if more health concerns arise and the Commanders fall victim to more early defeats, Peters might have to pivot accordingly.

The Commanders have momentum where once there was nothing but pessimism and dejection. Peters is banking on his elder statesmen to prove last season's remarkable accomplishments were not just a flash in the pan.