The Washington Commanders had a lot of salary cap space (approximately $90 million) and plenty of holes to fill. With a new general manager and coach, it led the Commanders down a path of rebuilding a roster yet doing so while protecting their future.
Washington signed 20 players in free agency, including four of their own, making it one of the franchise’s busiest periods. The Commanders wanted to be active in free agency but not make what would be considered “splash” signings, multiple team sources said. It was the first foray into free agency for the new power trio of owner Josh Harris, general manager Adam Peters and coach Dan Quinn.
“You could see what the new GM is prioritizing,” said tight end Zach Ertz, one of the new additions. “I think every free agency or every draft, it should be evident what an organizational philosophy is, and I think you’re starting to see that here.”
That was noticeable to outsiders as well.
“I definitely can see their plan,” said former NFL general manager Randy Mueller, who still analyzes the game as part of The Football GM podcast. “They seem to have a vision. Their plan runs deep, and I like that.”
Their signings revealed multiple aspects of what Washington wanted.
Build through the draft
Before free agency, Peters laid out his philosophy multiple times — at his initial news conference in January and again at the scouting combine in February.
“You really build through the draft,” Peters told reporters in Indianapolis, “but you always have to supplement in free agency. … But we’ll always remain a draft-and-develop team at our core.”
Washington indeed filled holes in free agency, adding three new starters on offense — center Tyler Biadasz, guard Nick Allegretti and Ertz. Meanwhile, on defense they added seven players who will either start or play a lot — linebackers Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner; safety Jeremy Chinn; corner Michael Davis; and defensive ends Dorance Armstrong, Clelin Ferrell and Dante Fowler Jr.
What the Commanders did not do was saddle themselves with long-term contracts. Only five of their 20 signees got a three-year deal and, if so desired, Washington could cut each one after two years to save cap space. Two players have two-year contracts and 13 signed one-year deals. During this transition they can develop young players while not needing to play all of them immediately.
Washington owns six picks in the top 100 and five in the top 78. The Commanders will draft a quarterback in the first round and still need to find a starting left tackle.
But, because of their free agent moves, they don’t have to feel pressured to fill a number of holes.
“After [QB] they can be open to [the] best available player,” ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said.
When Peters joined San Francisco as an assistant general manager in 2017, he helped build the team through the draft as well. In the 49ers’ first three seasons under coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch, they drafted 27 players. From those first three drafts came such players as tight end George Kittle, linebacker Fred Warner, defensive end Nick Bosa, receiver Deebo Samuel and linebacker Dre Greenlaw. That group has combined for seven first-team All-Pro selections and 13 Pro Bowls.
Meanwhile, it’s likely that Washington’s last four drafts will produce only seven starters this season. The franchise has drafted one player since 2000 that made first-team All-Pro while playing in Washington (guard Brandon Scherff in 2020). The team’s last four drafts produced one Pro Bowl season — by defensive end Chase Young in his rookie season of 2020.
With better evaluation, more premium picks and holes filled via free agency, Washington’s new regime can improve upon a poor draft record.
“That was the thing that jumped out to me,” Mueller said. “Adam wants to check as many boxes as he can so he can pick the best available players. They showed their hand what they want to do at [pick No.] 2, but beyond that he can pick the best players that come to him, which is awesome.”
Veteran leadership
That familiarity also mattered when it came to adding strong leaders. Multiple team sources said they have lacked a strong leader on defense in recent years, particularly in the back seven — and even more so at linebacker. Adding Wagner, known for his leadership skills, fills that void.
“He’s the epitome of a linebacker,” Luvu said. “He does it all, student of the game, how he goes about his ways, the habits, watching film. To have him in the building and work with him is a blessing.”
