The Commanders' 2026 Offseason: Rebuilding the Trenches
The dust has settled on another disappointing 6-11 season for the Washington Commanders, and the front office wasted no time getting to work. General Manager Adam Peters, now in his third year, has a clear mandate: fortify the lines and find a true difference-maker at quarterback. The 2025 campaign saw Sam Howell throw 21 interceptions, a league-high, despite a career-best 4,100 yards. That kind of turnover simply kills drives.
Washington entered the 2026 offseason with roughly $70 million in cap space, a significant war chest. They needed it. Their offensive line gave up 58 sacks last year, second-worst in the NFC. Defensive tackle Daron Payne, a Pro Bowler in 2024, was the only consistent interior presence. Peters had to make some tough calls.
Bolstering the Offensive Line
First order of business: protect the new quarterback, whoever that turns out to be. The Commanders went big on the offensive line, signing former Kansas City Chiefs guard Joe Thuney to a four-year, $68 million deal. Thuney, 33, still graded out as a top-10 guard by Pro Football Focus last season, allowing just two sacks in 16 starts. That's a massive upgrade. They also brought in veteran tackle Donovan Smith on a two-year, $18 million contract. Smith, who played for the Jets in 2025, isn't a long-term solution but provides a sturdy presence at left tackle, where Washington rotated three different starters last year.
Right guard Chris Paul, a 2023 seventh-round pick, showed flashes but ultimately struggled with consistency. He'll likely compete for a backup spot now. The center position remains a question mark after Nick Gates' release, but the Thuney signing suggests a commitment to protecting the middle. Peters knows you win in the trenches. He saw it first-hand in San Francisco.
Defensive Reinforcements and Departures
The defensive side of the ball saw some intriguing moves. Washington re-signed edge rusher Dorance Armstrong to a three-year, $36 million deal. Armstrong, who had 7.5 sacks in 2025, provides a solid complement to Montez Sweat, who finished with 10.5 sacks. Losing defensive end Chase Young to the Eagles in 2024 free agency still stings, but Armstrong has quietly become a reliable pass rusher.
They also made a splash in the secondary, signing veteran cornerback Stephon Gilmore to a one-year, $10 million contract. Gilmore, 35, isn't the shutdown corner he once was, but he still picked off three passes for the Cowboys last season and brings invaluable leadership to a young secondary. Kendall Fuller, who had 14 passes defended in 2025, is still the top guy, but Gilmore's presence should elevate the entire unit. The Commanders also drafted a promising safety, Jalen Hicks from Georgia, in the second round of the 2026 draft. They needed help there after Percy Butler's struggles against the deep ball.
The Quarterback Question
Here's the thing: all these moves are great, but they hinge on finding the right quarterback. Sam Howell's contract expired, and the team opted not to re-sign him. They did bring in veteran Jacoby Brissett on a one-year, $6 million deal to serve as a bridge or high-end backup. Brissett, who started five games for the Patriots in 2025, completed 64% of his passes with 9 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. He's a safe pair of hands.
But the real focus is on the draft. Washington holds the No. 2 overall pick. Everyone expects them to take a quarterback. My hot take? They'll trade back. There isn't a consensus franchise quarterback in this class like Caleb Williams or C.J. Stroud. Peters will leverage that pick to acquire more draft capital and potentially target a quarterback in the late first or early second round, or even wait until 2027. He's not going to force a pick that isn't there.
**Bold Prediction:** The Commanders will trade the No. 2 overall pick to the Atlanta Falcons for their No. 8 pick and a 2027 first-round selection, then draft Oregon quarterback Jaxon Miller at No. 8.