Commanders' prayers answered as pass-rush gift drops into Adam Peters' lap

Adam Peters didn't manage to secure a promising young edge rusher with his five draft picks. That doesn't mean the Washington Commanders are done making moves; it just means they'll have to come from the remaining veteran pool.

And the perfect addition might have fallen into his lap.

The Carolina Panthers caused an uproar among their fan base by releasing Pro Bowl edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney with one year remaining on his deal. Dan Morgan traded up twice on Day 2 for Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen. That left the former No. 1 pick out of South Carolina on the outside looking in, although most thought he'd stick around to mentor the rookie duo before taking his chances elsewhere in 2026.

Commanders should check in on Jadeveon Clowney after stunning release

This development shouldn't go unnoticed by Peters. The Commanders have enough spare cash to make Clowney an acceptable offer. Washington is also ready to contend with its Super Bowl window firmly open. That makes the organization an enticing destination.

Clowney doesn't have many good years left. He played well last season as all around him crumbled on Carolina's historically bad defense. His leadership was also lauded by coaches and teammates alike, which suggests he could slot into Washington's improved locker room culture shift under head coach Dan Quinn seamlessly.

One could make a case for Clowney being an upgrade on anything the Commanders have right now. He's an elite run defender as a 4-3 defensive end. There are flashes from a pass-rushing standpoint, but his mere reputation is enough to take attention away from others.

If Peters identifies Clowney as a player of interest, he needs to act quickly. The once-generational college prospect won't be on the proverbial scrap heap for long. He'll have several offers on the table, but convincing him that Washington is a project worth joining isn't the tough sell it once was.

Peters might be content with what he has. He might wait a little longer into the summer to see which other veterans become surplus to requirements elsewhere. He could also stand pat completely and see how things play out over the early stages of the campaign. There's just telling for sure right now.

Clowney is a good player. He's a solid pro and a consistent performer. Whether Peters thinks he'd be enough to move the needle is another matter.

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