ASHBURN, VA — The Washington Commanders didn’t just participate in free agency; they tried to hijack the market. After a miserable 5-12 campaign that saw the defense crumble, General Manager Adam Peters opened the checkbook, headlined by a massive 4-year, $100 million deal for edge rusher Odafe Oweh. Washington enters 2026 with a completely different look, banking on high-upside veterans to protect Jayden Daniels’ championship window.
Washington bet the house on Oweh, and the math is simple. The Commanders needed a closer. Oweh is coming off a career year with an 81.0 PFF pass-rush grade in 2025. While critics point to his three-sack playoff explosion against the Patriots as a fluke, his consistency is finally meeting his elite athleticism. He doesn’t need to be Myles Garrett to justify the check. If he delivers double-digit sacks and forces quarterbacks to see ghosts, this defense finally has teeth. Grade: A
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Amik Robertson joins on a 2-year, $16 million deal. His 48.0 coverage grade won’t win any awards, but he’s a massive upgrade over the struggling Marshon Lattimore. Robertson is a dog in the slot. He’s feisty, tenacious, and brings a “ball-hawk” energy the Commanders lacked. Grade: B-minus
The real steal might be safety Nick Cross. At just 24 years old, Cross recorded 266 tackles over his last two seasons in Indy. Defensive Coordinator Daronte Jones plans to use him as a “Swiss Army Knife” blitzer. For $14 million over two years, Washington secured a young starter with Pro Bowl upside. Grade: A-
“I just love their plan for me, honestly. Coach Quinn and the staff showed me exactly how I fit. I feel great body-wise, and this system is going to expose my strengths. I’m ready to get back to that high level of success.”
— Charles Omenihu, EDGE
Washington addressed the “soft” label by signing Leo Chenal to a 3-year, $24.75 million contract. Chenal is a run-stuffing machine, grading over 90.0 against the run in recent years. He replaces Bobby Wagner and gives the front seven much-needed bulk. Tim Settle also returns on a $25.5 million deal, providing 60 pressures over his last two seasons. Grade: A
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On offense, the Commanders snagged Rachaad White for a measly $2 million. White’s 87.2 rushing grade was top-four in the league last year. Pairing him with Jayden Daniels gives Washington a versatile backfield that can catch and block. This is arguably the best value signing of the entire 2026 cycle. Grade: A
The Commanders are clearly done with “moral victories.” By securing Odafe Oweh and re-signing Marcus Mariota (1-year, $7 million), they’ve built a roster with both a high ceiling and a safe floor. The defense is now tailored to Daronte Jones’ aggressive, blitz-heavy scheme. If Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson (who posted 74 pressures in 2025) can meet at the quarterback, Washington isn’t just a playoff hopeful—they are a threat to the NFC East crown. The focus now shifts to the draft, where adding a true WR1 is the final piece of the puzzle.
