Offseason In Review: Washington Commanders

Diggs, 32, comes with baggage. The Bills tired of his antics by 2024 and took on a then-receiver-record in dead money in trading him to the Texans. Diggs also was accused of assault by his former chef, leading to a 2026 trial. The veteran wideout was acquitted in May, however, and the NFL soon announced no personal conduct policy suspension would arise. That accelerated Diggs’ market, but it still took nearly two months for him to land a deal.

Weeks after PFR’s Connor Byrne mentioned Diggs as a fit for the Commanders, a rumor connecting him to a Mid-Atlantic return emerged. Despite the endless Aiyuk connections, Washington brought in Diggs, who was probably the top healthy option available.

The team signed Diggs despite 2025 McLaurin complementary piece Deebo Samuel remaining available. Tyreek Hill‘s resume outflanks Diggs’, but the speed merchant — who may face a suspension — does not yet appear close to full strength after a severe September 2025 knee injury. Enter Diggs, who will attempt to follow Brandon Marshall and Brandin Cooks in posting 1,000-yard receiving seasons with four franchises.

The Diggs signing came after an aggressive push for this market’s top receiving options in March. The Commanders looked to have finished second in the Alec Pierce and Romeo Doubs derbies. PFR’s top free agent wideout, Pierce re-signed with the Colts — on a monster four-year, $114MM pact — just before the legal tampering period opened March 9. A day later, Doubs chose the Patriots on a four-year, $68MM deal. Washington regrouped and saved plenty by adding Diggs as an $8MM stopgap — albeit one whose resume laps the younger, higher-priced WR options.

Although the four-time Pro Bowler’s signing naturally commanded considerable attention, Washington’s top free agency money went to filling a dire need. The Commanders did not sufficiently stock their pass rush in 2025, largely punting on the position until a one-year Von Miller deal. That Miller pact became important, but seeing a 36-year-old rental lead the team in sacks (nine) was more indictment than shrewd investment. Washington got to work much earlier in 2026, and Dorance Armstrong has some young pieces to work with.

PFR’s top 50 free agent list ranked Oweh 10th, just behind Jaelan Phillips and Trey Hendrickson among edge rushers, and the former Ravens first-rounder indeed attracted a hot market. The Chargers showed interest in retaining the productive trade rental, and they made an offer. Los Angeles was believed to be more competitive in its attempt to re-sign Oweh compared to guard Zion Johnson, but both ended up leaving. The Bolts, who had already re-signed Khalil Mack, ended up drafting Akheem Mesidor in Round 1. The Commanders addressing their EDGE need in free agency opened the door to more flexibility in the first round.

ESPN slotted Oweh 10th in pass rush win rate last season. This came after a career-high 10 sacks and 23 QB hits in 2024. Oweh’s 28 QB pressures ranked 27th in 2024; he tallied 23 pressures in ’25. Helping the Chargers during a season in which Mack needed an IR stint, Oweh (27) is four years younger than Hendrickson and has far fewer injury red flags than Phillips.

The other two each collected $30MM-per-year deals — from the Ravens and Panthers, respectively — and each received $60MM at signing. Oweh’s $50.6MM all comes from 2026-27, with Washington guaranteeing him nothing beyond that point.

After skimping at defensive end in 2025, the Commanders look to have tried to pair Oweh and Hendrickson. The team made an aggressive push for the Bengals All-Pro even after the Oweh deal commenced, per The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala. They also were an early Jonathan Greenard trade suitor; the Vikings didn’t move on until draft weekend (sending him to the Eagles), but trade rumors swirled weeks earlier. A day after Hendrickson chose the Ravens’ big-ticket offer, the Commanders zeroed in on Chaisson.

The former Jaguars first-rounder opted for a “prove it” deal in Washington — with eyes presumably on a bigger 2027 market — than a multiyear New Orleans offer. The Saints were not offering much more (if any) than the Commanders, leading the 27-year-old defender to bet on himself.

This is probably a wise move, as Chaisson has shown himself to be a late-blooming talent (after teetering on the bust cliff in Jacksonville). Chaisson finished with 7.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and 18 QB hits for the AFC champion Patriots. The 18 hits were nine more than the LSU product totaled in any prior season, and he stuck the landing by sacking Justin Herbert twice and C.J. Stroud once in the playoffs.

Washington’s 42 sacks last season did rank 12th leaguewide, sitting 18th in pass rush win rate, but its highest-paid EDGE at the time (Armstrong) only tallied 5.5 on seven QB hits. Armstrong, who worked as an auxiliary rusher in Dallas behind Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence, looks set for a role reduction. This comes on the heels of an October ACL tear.

Zach Ertz‘s ACL tear — ahead of a potential age-36 season — moved him off the free agency radar, and the Commanders replaced him with Okonkwo. The ex-Titans starter was part of a deep tight end contingent available, and Washington did well to land him at a lower AAV than Cade Otton collected this year or Juwan Johnson landed in 2025. Even when rookie deals are excluded, the Commanders nabbed Okonkwo for the No. 13 TE guarantee at signing. This is still a tight end-record guarantee for the franchise, which had Ertz on two one-year contracts.

It can easily be argued Okonkwo’s best years are ahead, as his starter run in Tennessee overlapped with Will Levis‘ struggles and Cam Ward‘s erratic rookie season. Like Engram, the soon-to-be 27-year-old TE has not been an end zone regular (eight TDs in four years), but he has twice cleared 520 receiving yards and has 42 career starts. The receiving option should bring upside, as a quarterback upgrade awaits.

While Chenal’s most memorable play came on special teams — a game-saving field goal block against the Broncos in 2024 — he was a Chiefs regular for most of his Missouri run. Logging a career-high 53% defensive snap share last season, Chenal may join Okonkwo as a value buy. He worked as a part-time LB behind Nick Bolton in Kansas City, which opted to retain Drue Tranquill on a pay cut after letting Chenal walk.

PFF’s No. 19 overall off-ball LB last season, Chenal ranked as a top-15 coverage ‘backer. He also finished with seven sacks from his off-ball post during his four-year Chiefs career, adding an eighth in the playoffs as a rookie. The Chiefs just added a boatload of guaranteed money to Patrick Mahomes‘ contract, as they let several defensive regulars — Chenal, Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson, Bryan Cook, Mike Danna — go this offseason.

Supplanted as the Buccaneers’ starting running back by Bucky Irving, White resurfaced as the team’s lead option after the younger RB’s 2025 injury trouble. That did not drive much of a market. Next Gen Stats’ rush yards over expected per attempt metric placed White as the seventh-worst RB last season — at minus-0.25 yards per carry — though that metric viewed the former third-rounder as a mid-pack option in 2024.

White’s best season came in 2023, when he tallied 1,539 scrimmage yards and nine TDs. White contributed 549 through the air that year and looks to be Washington’s Austin Ekeler replacement alongside Jacory Croskey-Merritt. RYOE per attempt slotted Croskey-Merritt ninth (0.8) last season, and he appears destined for more run-game work after the team nontendered Chris Rodriguez as an RFA.

After missing with the Marshon Lattimore trade, the Commanders tried again at corner this offseason. Robertson, primarily a boundary corner with the Raiders and a slot player as a Lion, looks set for nickel duty alongside Mike Sainristil and Trey Amos. PFF graded both Sainristil and Amos poorly last season (95th, 106th) among qualified CBs, but the Commanders are pushing back on those assessments. Robertson logged 696 slot snaps and 673 perimeter plays in two Lions seasons, giving the Commanders options.

Heading into his age-25 season, Cross looks to join Okonkwo and Chenal as a potential value add. He was wildly productive in two seasons as a Colts starter. This contract reminds of the one the Rams gave ex-Commanders safety Kamren Curl in 2024, and Cross will attempt to boost his market on this midlevel deal (Curl doing so led to a $12MM-per-year Rams re-signing). Cross spent much of his time in the box in Indianapolis, racking up 266 tackles (11 for loss) from 2024-25, but he still played nearly 700 free safety snaps and intercepted four passes in that span. His 2028 market — or Commanders extension before that point — will be something to monitor.

A year after signing Jonathan Jones ahead of an age-32 season, Washington went to this well again by adding Douglas (31 this month) as experienced depth. Miscast as a Packers slot option in 2022, Douglas played well for the Bills and Dolphins in recent years. PFF’s No. 24-ranked corner last season, the veteran (93 career starts) will provide insurance against Amos second-year struggles.

With Douglas and Moreau here — the latter returning after UFA pickup Ahkello Witherspoon‘s unexpected retirement — and both Sainristil and Robertson having versatile backgrounds, the Commanders have more options than in 2025.

Settle returns after four years away. Formerly a role player on Washington D-lines housing the Montez Sweat–Chase Young–Jonathan Allen–Daron Payne first-rounder quartet, Settle spent two seasons in Buffalo and two in Houston after his rookie deal expired. He impressed on the 2024 Texans, registering five sacks and 10 TFLs before starting all 12 games he played for a dominant Texans defense in 2025. A nose tackle role may well await the Virginia Tech alum back in Washington, which still houses Payne, Javon Kinlaw and Jer’Zhan Newton as rush options in Daronte Jones‘ new 3-4 base defense.

Re-signings:

• Marcus Mariota, QB. One year, $7MM ($6.39MM guaranteed)
• Nick Allegretti, G. Two years, $7.59MM ($3.93MM guaranteed)
• Andrew Wylie, OL. One year, $3.75MM ($3.7MM guaranteed)
• Tress Way, P. One year, $3.04MM ($3.01MM guaranteed)
• Chris Paul, G. One year, $3MM ($2.48MM guaranteed)
• Jeremy McNichols. One year, $1.49MM ($563K guaranteed)
• Drake Jackson, DE. One year, $1.4MM ($500K guaranteed)
• Treylon Burks, WR. One year, $2.35MM ($400K guaranteed)
• Jake Moody, K. One year, $1.5MM ($125K guaranteed)
• Trenton Scott, T. One year, $1.49MM ($100K guaranteed)
• Deatrich Wise, DE. One year, $1.45MM ($75K guaranteed)
• Shy Tuttle, DT. One year, $1.4MM ($50K guaranteed)

Another offseason, another Mariota one-year contract. The Commanders needed far more from Mariota last season than they did in 2024, and although the Commanders sunk to a 5-12 record, they will continue to lean on the dual-threat vet (82 career starts) as their QB2. Mariota is nearly two years older than Blough and has far more experience in the NFL, adding an interesting wrinkle to the team’s updated play-calling situation.

The Commanders still have Sam Hartman rostered and used a seventh-round pick on Athan Kaliakmanis in April. Mariota’s guarantee effectively ensures he will remain Daniels’ top backup — a rather important position after the starter’s 2025 setbacks.

Rumors placed the Commanders in the thick of the Tyler Linderbaum market, as the team needed a Biadasz center replacement. After bailing on a $10MM-per-year center, Washington bowed out of the Linderbaum derby — one that ended with a record-obliterating $27MM-AAV number (via the Raiders). The Commanders then decided to keep center costs low.

Both Wylie and Allegretti joined the Commanders before the Quinn-Adam Peters regime’s arrival. Wylie followed Eric Bieniemy to Washington from Kansas City but saw the OC become a one-and-done. Despite Wylie being a Ron Rivera signee and Allegretti being benched early last season, both return. Allegretti entered the offseason as the more important ex-Chiefs O-lineman, but after Laremy Tunsil‘s triceps injury, Wylie represents a possible left tackle option (though, the utilityman does not have much experience there; his primary K.C. tackle work came at RT).

Washington is trying Allegretti at center, marking a notable late-career pivot for the former Super Bowl guard starter. He of 88 career center snaps from 2019-24, Allegretti logged 100 last season. The Commanders apparently liked what they saw enough to bail on their upper-middle-class center contract (Tyler Biadasz‘s three-year, $30MM deal) and try a guard there.

Allegretti, 30, entered camp competing against Julian Good-Jones — a seventh-year veteran with one career offensive snap — at center. Allegretti’s chances seem good based on this one-sided matchup, though a calf injury has him out of action presently.

The Allegretti injury looks to have prompted the Commanders to sign Brunskill, who has two 400-plus-snap seasons at center (2020, 2024). The 2020 season came with the 49ers during Peters’ time in their front office. Brunskill, 32, has spent more time at guard but could be a late-arriving option at the pivot.

Paul took over starting guard duties early last season, starting the team’s final 15 games. He had only eight career starts prior to that takeover. Although Paul gave Washington stability at left guard, he did not command much of a market. The team has a starter back for just $3MM. Tunsil’s triceps injury figures to keep Paul in the Commanders’ lineup, as an in-house tackle move would take a backup guard — Wylie or Brandon Coleman, the team’s primary 2024 left tackle — and slide him in as a replacement.

Notable losses:

• Nick Bellore, LB (retired)
• Tyler Biadasz, C (released)
• Noah Brown, WR
• Sheldon Day, DT
• Jeff Driskel, QB
• Chase Edmonds, RB
• Austin Ekeler, RB
• Zach Ertz, TE
• George Fant, T
• Eddie Goldman, DT
• Jalyn Holmes, DE
• Noah Igbinoghene, CB
• Tyree Jackson, TE
• Josh Johnson, QB
• Jonathan Jones, CB
• Marshon Lattimore, CB (released)
• Jacob Martin, DE
• Von Miller, DE
• Chris Moore, WR
• Lucas Niang, RT
• Chris Rodriguez, RB (nontendered as RFA)
• Preston Smith, DE
• Bobby Wagner, LB
• Ahkello Witherspoon, CB (retired)

Miller and Wagner’s Hall of Fame montages are unlikely to feature considerable Commanders footage, but it is certainly notable two of this century’s best defenders played together for a season. Wagner spent two years in Washington, reuniting with ex-Seattle DC Quinn and delivering his typical work.

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Long holding the highest regard for Wagner, PFF slotted him 10th among off-ball ‘backers last season. The future Hall of Famer, who had re-signed on a one-year deal worth $9MM, made 162 tackles and registered 4.5 sacks. Last season did halt Wagner’s staggering 11-year All-Pro streak. While that is a rather high bar, the 14-year vet remains unsigned. As does Miller, who at 37 is a year older.

The Commanders left the door open for a Wagner reunion in late March, but the team’s Sonny Styles first-round pick may have nixed that. Styles joins LBs Chenal and Frankie Luvu, and while his resume laps just about every linebacker to come through the NFL this century, it is quite interesting a player this durable and productive remains available midway through training camps. Wagner will likely receive another opportunity, but some conditions will surely need to be met. Wagner working as a part-timer or playing for a noncontending team would be hard to envision.

Miller expressed interest in rejoining the Commanders, but he has since admitted he made the wrong choice when it came to deciding on Washington over eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle — which sent the OLB legend an offer — last summer. Miller has also let it be known once again he is interested in rejoining the Broncos, his original NFL team. Denver has not reciprocated this interest, though a Jonathon Cooper personal conduct suspension could affect the team’s thinking.

Posting 15 QB hits along with his nine sacks, Miller earned incentive money with his 2025 season. The two-time Super Bowl winner now has 138.5 career sacks — ninth all time. If/when he catches on for at least one more season, the 15-year vet is three sacks away from sixth — Terrell Suggs, Jason Taylor and Michael Strahan currently hold the Nos. 6, 7 and 8 spots — in the official sack era.

Biadasz joined Armstrong and Dante Fowler in following Quinn from Dallas to Washington. The Commanders did not save much money by cutting Biadasz, due to void years remaining on his contract, as they took on $8.1MM in dead money from the release. The seventh-year center — PFF’s No. 12 snapper in 2025 — caught on with the Chargers and landed the same 3/30 deal. The contract came with $15MM guaranteed at signing.

While not exactly on the Deshaun Watson–Russell Wilson levels of modern trade infamy, the Commanders’ Lattimore acquisition — which cost third- and fourth-round picks — busted. Lattimore was ineffective before suffering an ACL tear in November. He was then arrested on a misdemeanor weapons charge.

Washington moved on from the New Orleans-designed contract, saving $18.5MM in cap space without incurring any dead money. Lattimore, who was healthy for two regular-season games in 2024 after the NFC teams’ deadline trade, has missed 33 games over the past four seasons. The 30-year-old corner remains unsigned.

One of the fliers Washington took following the Lattimore decision brought an unexpected conclusion. The Commanders gave Witherspoon a low-cost deal ($1.41MM, $125K guaranteed) in late March but saw him land on the reserve/retired list days into camp. A third-round 49ers pick during Peters’ San Francisco stay, Witherspoon spent the past three years as a part-time Rams starter. He and Douglas represented a two-30-something CB array in Washington. The team still has that setup even post-Witherspoon, with Moreau now in his age-32 season.

Washington received decent Ekeler contributions in 2024, as a team light on wide receiver depth relied on the pass-catching back and Zach Ertz in Jayden Daniels‘ rookie year. Two games into last season, however, the veteran running back suffered an Achilles tear. Unsigned ahead of a potential age-31 season, Ekeler may well see that injury end his career. The two-time NFL touchdown kingpin as a Charger played out a two-year, $8.43MM Commanders deal.

Rodriguez received more time as a result of the Ekeler injury and Brian Robinson trade, and he operated in a timeshare with Croskey-Merritt. A much better market awaited Rodriguez compared to a low-end RFA tender, as the Jaguars gave the 2023 sixth-rounder a two-year, $10MM deal with $6.25MM guaranteed upfront. Might he annoy Bhayshul Tuten fantasy GMs like he did Croskey-Merritt’s?

Extensions and restructures:

• Gave LT Laremy Tunsil two-year, $60.2MM extension ($52.67MM guaranteed)
• Reached one-year, $3.5MM extension with S Jeremy Reaves

Credit Tunsil as one of this era’s great leverage artists. He has now secured three contracts that made him the NFL’s highest-paid offensive lineman. The Texans rewarded Tunsil months after acquiring him in a trade package featuring two first-rounders, and they did so again in March 2023. After Houston bailed on Tunsil in 2025, he played one season on his second Texans contract in Washington before another negotiation yielded a record-setting payout.

Peters is now GM No. 3 to reward Tunsil, following Bill O’Brien and Nick Caserio. For all Tunsil’s success on this front, the tackle market has not moved in the way other premium positions’ have in recent years. For a few months, the NFL’s first $30MM-per-year O-line contract felt like a bargain.

When Tunsil signed his first Texans extension in April 2020, his $22MM AAV matched where the wide receiver market was at the time. Jaxon Smith-Njigba‘s market-topping deal now betters Tunsil’s by $12MM. Russell Wilson‘s $35MM-per-year contract paced quarterbacks at that time; Patrick Mahomes is now at $64MM AAV. Ditto the EDGE market, which featured Khalil Mack‘s $23.5MM number leading the way in April 2020. Ex-Tunsil teammate Will Anderson Jr.‘s current market-setting number: $50MM.

While it could have been argued at the time the Commanders capitalized on the only premium position to involve a slow-moving market, Tunsil has since suffered a triceps tear. That injury will lead the Pro Bowl tackle to IR, and it will not be a certainty he plays this season.

Tunsil, 32, already secured his 2027 compensation fully guaranteed. If Tunsil is on the Commanders’ roster by Day 5 of the 2027 league year, $8.85MM of his 2028 salary locks in. Suddenly, that date looks to matter more.

Tunsil has missed more than three games in a season just once — in a 2021 campaign in which the Texans were starting a rebuild — so the Commanders can operate with a level of confidence they will have him back at full strength by next season at the latest.

Thanks to the void years and option bonuses, Tunsil’s deal will likely remain on Washington’s payroll through at least the 2027 season. But it looks likely the player he replaced — Coleman — will be stepping back in. The 2024 third-round pick made 12 LT starts as a rookie before being shuttled to RT and then guard. Coleman had been competing with Paul for the LG gig.

If the Commanders are not confident in Coleman — in a make-or-break Quinn year — Taylor Decker remains available. Assistant GM Lance Newmark was with the Lions when they drafted Decker and when they gave him his first extension.

In Washington since a short UDFA stint in Philadelphia ended before his 2018 rookie season, Reaves has put together a strong offseason. The All-Pro special-teamer is competing with Rivera-era second-rounder Quan Martin for the Commanders’ starting safety job alongside Cross. Heading into an age-30 season, Reaves would make for one of the more interesting NFL starters to open this season should he win this matchup against a 37-start player.

Draft:

• Round 1, No. 7: Sonny Styles (LB, Ohio State) (signed)
• Round 3, No. 71: Antonio Williams (WR, Clemson) (signed)
• Round 5, No. 147: Joshua Josephs (EDGE, Tennessee) (signed)
• Round 6, No. 187: Kaytron Allen (RB, Penn State) (signed)
• Round 6, No. 209 (from 49ers): Matt Gulbin (C, Michigan State) (signed)
• Round 7, No. 223: Athan Kaliakmanis (QB, Rutgers) (signed)

Although connections to Caleb Downs surfaced during the pre-draft process, the Commanders spent extensive time with Styles. They passed on Downs, for whom the Cowboys traded up to No. 11 minutes later, to take a converted safety in Styles. The versatile linebacker drew major hype heading into Round 1, and the Commanders — yes, this has become a post-draft trope of sorts — reportedly did not expect him to be there at No. 7.

Checking in third on Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com big board, Styles dazzled at the Combine. According to NFL Research, Styles stands as the only player north of 230 pounds to run a sub-4.5, drop a vertical jump of 40-plus inches and a broad jump of 11-plus feet. Styles did this at 6-foot-4 and 244 pounds. Washington secured probably the top physical freak in this draft class, and although the NFL has deemed off-ball LB fifth-year options a non-starter since the Buccaneers regretted exercising Devin White‘s in 2022, the Commanders are rolling the dice on a non-rush ‘backer with a top-seven pick.

Luvu spent more time on the edge in 2025 compared to his 2024 role, opening the door for Styles to work alongside Chenal frequently in sub-packages. Though, the Commanders will have more pass rush options this year after signing Oweh and Chaisson to accompany Armstrong. Luvu is also in a contract year, and Styles’ arrival points the ex-Panther breakout player toward another free agency trip come 2027.

Receiving a Fred Warner comp from Jeremiah, Styles is a strong coverage ‘backer — as his safety past makes rather clear — and he showed blitz effectiveness during the Buckeyes’ 2024 national title run. Styles’ first LB season supplied six sacks and 10.5 TFLs. While Washington’s previous regime saw its Jamin Davis first-round choice (at No. 19) backfire, Styles is on a different tier as a prospect.

McLaurin became a clear hit as a 2019 third-rounder, but beyond the team’s current WR1, Washington has struggled to draft receivers over the past several years. The team saw first-rounders Josh Doctson and Jahan Dotson bust, while Dyami Brown disappointed from Round 3; Peters-era third-rounder Luke McCaffrey has done little through two seasons. Nevertheless, the franchise will try again via the Williams selection.

In addition to the Pierce and Doubs offers, the Commanders were in the Mike Evans market. The team did not have a second-round pick, thanks to the 2025 Tunsil trade. That hamstrung Washington re: this class’ top receiver prospects. The team passed on Jordyn Tyson, who went to New Orleans at No. 8, after meeting with a host of wideouts (Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon, Denzel Boston, Omar Cooper) pre-draft. Williams arrives with less fanfare, and Diggs’ arrival figures to limit the rookie’s contributions.

Clemson’s second-leading receiver in 2025, Williams benefited from Bryant Wesco‘s season-ending neck injury to reach that status. Williams still may complement McLaurin and Diggs well, having played in the slot on 78% of his Clemson snaps. At 5-11, Williams — Jeremiah’s No. 57-ranked prospect — figures to challenge for the slot role McCaffrey has been unable to seize.

Coaching/front office:

• Senior personnel exec Scott Fitterer left team; Vikings’ Demetrius Washington named replacement
• Fired tight ends coach Ben Steele; Wes Welker working as replacement
• Hired Ryan Kussenich as college scouting director
• VP of football initiatives Dave Gardi took job in Titans’ front office
• Area scouts Paul Skansi, Chuck Cook retired; Alberto de la Guardia, Miles Turner fill roles
• Jake Olsen backtracked on commitment to join staff, agreed to stay at LSU

The Commanders hired Fitterer in July 2024, but the veteran exec did not last two years with the team. The former Seahawks staffer-turned-Panthers GM was out by July 2026. Teams regularly restructure front offices after drafts, but Fitterer exited the NFL to join the Athletes First agency. He had been an NFL exec since 1998.

Steele joined the Commanders’ coaching staff this offseason but was arrested on a DWI charge in June. The former Cardinals TEs coach was on Quinn’s Falcons staff from 2019-20. Welker served as wide receivers coach for the 49ers and Dolphins from 2019-24, but the former All-Pro wideout has been on the Commanders’ staff for three years now.

Other:

• 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk lobbied to join team
• DE Dorance Armstrong receives one-game suspension
• No 2026 extension for DT Daron Payne on radar
• Signed nine UDFAs

For a time, it looked like Washington would be Aiyuk’s landing spot. Peters was in San Francisco when the mercurial receiver was drafted and when he earned second-team All-Pro honors three years later. The team carried its annual WR2 need into another offseason. With Diggs having been brought in at a late juncture to fill that, Aiyuk looks to be in NFL limbo.

We cannot quite place Aiyuk on the Antonio Brown level for wide receiver antics; he might be moving past the Diontae Johnson tier, however. Unlike Brown, however, Aiyuk has not flashed Hall of Fame-level talent that would warrant him third and fourth chances. No Tom Brady-like rabi figure — Brown’s saving grace amid his controversial post-Pittsburgh period — has emerged. The player seemingly set to fill that role — Daniels, Aiyuk’s teammate at Arizona State — was on the receiving end of one of Aiyuk’s strange social media salvos recently.

Many of those have emerged this summer, and the Commanders were the subject of several. For a bit, it looked like the Commanders were considering Aiyuk. His antics on social media have prompted concern and confusion from around the NFL world, and the actions apparently impacted Washington’s interest. Aiyuk remains on the 49ers’ reserve/left squad list, as this strange standoff persists.

Armstrong, who recently came off the active/PUP list following ACL rehab, received a one-game ban for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. The Commanders changed Armstrong’s role with the Oweh and Chaisson signings, and the third-year Washington defensive end is not signed beyond the 2026 season.

One season remains on Payne’s 2023 extension. Unlike fellow late-2010s first-round DT draftees extended that offseason — Jeffery Simmons, Ed Oliver, Quinnen Williams, Dexter Lawrence — Payne received the franchise tag. The rest of that lot tacked four years onto their rookie deals, putting them under contract through 2027. Lawrence, Simmons and Williams each landed big-ticket paydays this year. Payne’s four-year, $90MM pact expires at season’s end.

Lawrence and Williams needed to find trade partners to greenlight extensions, while Simmons signed his new deal under a different Titans regime. A different Commanders staff is in place from when he was extended (under Rivera and then-GM Martin Mayhew), and no traction has emerged on a second extension.

As you can see below, Payne’s cap charge is by far this payroll’s top figure. Washington could reduce that significantly with an extension, but Payne has been less productive in Quinn’s scheme compared to Jack Del Rio‘s. The 29-year-old vet could reestablish a market with a quality season. The Commanders would have until next year’s legal tampering period to negotiate exclusively with their 2018 first-round pick.

Top 10 cap charges for 2026:

1. Daron Payne, DT: $27.95MM
2. Sam Cosmi, G: $20.26MM
3. Terry McLaurin, WR: $18MM
4. Javon Kinlaw, DT: $16.2MM
5. Dorance Armstrong, DE: $12.06MM
6. Laremy Tunsil, LT: $11.91MM
7. K’Lavon Chaisson, DE: $11.47MM
8. Frankie Luvu, LB: $11.3MM
9. Jayden Daniels, QB: $10.29MM
10. Odafe Oweh, DE: $9.2MM

The Commanders aimed higher at both wide receiver and defensive end but still came away with intriguing answers to lingering issues. The Tunsil injury stings, of course, though the Commanders do have better left tackle backup options than some teams. Daniels did not need a Pro Bowl LT to dazzle as a rookie, but Tunsil’s absence will naturally bring concern about the quarterback’s health this season.

Last season’s 5-12 showing can be written off to a degree due to Daniels’ injuries. While the Washington roster was unnecessarily old, a similar crew voyaged to the franchise’s first NFC title game in 33 years. Daniels’ health will be paramount to Quinn’s future. This will be Quinn’s ninth season as an NFL HC. A third chance will be unlikely for the soon-to-be 56-year-old leader. If Daniels goes down again, Quinn — who looked to be the team’s third choice behind Ben Johnson and Mike Macdonald in 2024 — may endure a repeat of his 2020 in-season Falcons firing.

Daniels having Diggs to target alongside McLaurin could also provide a boost the QB lacked even in his runaway Offensive Rookie of the Year season. Daniels moving back on the right track would probably buy Quinn more time, though Blough’s inexperience as his team’s top offensive voice — as opposed to recently retired QBs-turned-OCs Davis Webb and Sean Mannion, who each work for offense-oriented HCs — is an area of concern. Will Washington restore its place as an NFC contender or be part of next year’s head coaching carousel?