Commanders enter offseason with several key free agents to be re-signed

After “re-calibrating” with free agents to reach the NFC Championship, the Washington Commanders must now sort through more than two dozen to re-sign. It won’t be easy.

Washington needs to upgrade its talent after being exposed by the Philadelphia Eagles in the conference final. The Commanders require help at running back, receiver and secondary. They even have two free-agent kickers to choose from.

General manager Adam Peters is looking for chemistry that served Washington so well in the team’s first season with a new front office and coaching staff. The team’s close bonds were remarkable, given that only 14 players had remained from 2023 by the season's end.

“I think something that...really resonated with I think both [coach Dan Quinn and myself] bringing in the right people and bringing in guys who we see as Commanders,” Peters said. “I think if we're gonna take away a lesson, I think that would probably be the biggest one is getting the guys that are Commanders, that are competitors, that love ball, love each other, and will play for each other. And we had a bunch of those guys on this team and they liked playing for each other.”

Peters and staff are currently at the Senior Bowl scouting draft prospects. However, attention quickly returns to free agency, which begins March 12.

First up should be re-signing Zach Ertz, who delivered a plea to return while clearing his locker on Monday. Ertz loves offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s offense and getting Wednesday practices off to rest. Ertz caught 66 passes for 654 yards and seven touchdowns while emerging as a locker-room leader. Washington should also keep tight end John Bates, a 2021 fourth-rounder who is a solid blocker.

Second, Washington must prevent opponents from poaching backup quarterback Marcus Mariota, who won two games in relief while mentoring rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. Washington likely won’t keep third-stringer Jeff Driskel and will opt for Sam Hartman, who spent the year on the practice squad.

Third is safety Jeremy Chinn, whose 117 tackles were second only to Bobby Wagner’s 132. The Commanders' secondary needs more help at cornerback, thanks to Chinn holding down safety.

Kicker will be an interesting choice. Thanks to injuries and an accusation of misconduct, Washington went through six kickers last season, but Austin Seibert and Zane Gonzalez were serviceable. Seibert made 90 percent of his field goals while Gonzales converted only 71% but was solid under pressure. Both were midseason signings, so Washington might get away with bringing each back for a training camp competition.

Washington will likely bring in a No. 2 receiver to Terry McLaurin via free agency or draft. It interchanged Dyami Brown, Noah Brown and Olamide Zaccheaus weekly as the No. 2. Most likely, one of them stays, and it’s probably Zaccheaus after 45 catches.

The offensive line will need a stopgap right guard while Sam Cosmi recovers from a torn ACL during the playoffs. Trent Scott played surprisingly well in two postseason games to likely return. The Commanders may replace right tackle Andrew Wylie, perhaps by moving left tackle Ben Coleman. Either way, Washington needs a tackle.

Defensively, tackles Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen haven’t merited their pricey contracts. Most likely, one gets traded. That means Washington re-signs Sheldon Day.

Tress Way’s 50 punts were his fewest since 2016. The supercharged offense and penchant for fourth-down conversions even left him without a punt in two straight games. Way is the franchise’s greatest punter ever and the 11-year vet’s 42.9-yard net at age 34 was only two yards from his peak. He’s a no-brainer re-signing.

Several regulars will likely go, including cornerbacks Michael Davis, Benjamin St-Juste and Noah Igbinoghene.

Meanwhile, running back Brian Robinson Jr. probably won’t have his option fifth-year deal picked up after three straight seasons of less than 800 yards.

Overall, Washington won’t come close to its massive roster overhaul of 2024. The NFL’s usual 25 to 35 percent range will be the Commanders’ mark.

Still, if Peters can produce another free-agent class of playmakers, Washington may be postseason contenders again.