The heaviest lifting happened in the trenches. Washington’s decision to lock down Laremy Tunsil with a two-year extension through 2028 is the bedrock of this offseason. Tunsil, who allowed only two sacks in 14 games last year, remains the gold standard for blindside protection. With $32.5 million in signing bonus money, Peters made it clear that protecting a recovering Jayden Daniels is the top priority.
But the spending didn’t stop at the offensive line. Peters effectively bought a new defensive identity. The team landed a monster edge threat in Odafe Oweh on a four-year, $100 million contract, giving Dan Quinn the high-motor pass rusher he lacked in 2025. They paired him with cornerback Amik Robertson, who signed a two-year, $16 million deal after a productive stint in Detroit. Robertson brings a much-needed “dawg” mentality to a secondary that was torched for the better part of last autumn.
The energy in Ashburn is different now. Walking through the facility, you can see the staff moving with a frantic, purposeful speed. One league source described the Commanders’ strategy as “surgical aggression.” They aren’t just buying stars; they are buying fit.
“We had too many holes last year. You can’t ask a young quarterback to do everything when the defense is giving up points like a broken faucet. Adam [Peters] went out and got us grown men. This is a business, and right now, business is good.”
— Jonathan Allen, Commanders Defensive Tackle
Offensively, Washington played it smart with high-value veterans. Bringing back Marcus Mariota on a one-year, $7 million deal provides the ultimate insurance policy for Daniels. The Commanders also added Rachaad White to the backfield and Chig Okonkwo at tight end. These moves give new offensive coordinator David Blough a diverse set of weapons to diversify an attack that became too predictable last year. White’s ability to catch passes out of the backfield is a direct response to the pressure Daniels faced in 2025.
The roster still has thin spots. The search for a true WR2 to complement Terry McLaurin continues, and the center position remains a question mark despite Nick Allegretti’s versatility. However, the “glaring” needs that haunted the team in January have been largely addressed. Washington is no longer desperate; they are now drafting for depth rather than survival.
