The Washington Commanders had a mission coming into the offseason: get youthful and sooner. That’s what GM Adam Peters stated in January on the season-ending press convention. It wasn’t lip service from Peters, who has signed 12 exterior free brokers, most of whom are youthful and sooner than the gamers they changed.
Mission completed. The Commanders attacked a number of positions, particularly on protection, the place Washington was arguably the NFL’s worst in the second half of final season. Peters signed edge rushers Odafe Oweh, K’Lavon Chaisson and Charles Omenihu, whereas including linebacker Leo Chenal and security Nick Cross, amongst others. These gamers, notably Chenal at linebacker, make Washington a lot sooner than earlier seasons.
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The Commanders additionally made some strikes on offense, including three operating backs behind Jacory Croskey-Merritt, together with Rachaad White, and introduced again huge receiver Dyami Brown. The largest transfer on offense was signing former Titans tight finish Chig Okonkwo to a three-year deal. Okonkwo fives Washington one thing it has lacked on the place, and must be a primary weapon for quarterback Jayden Daniels.
It’s nearly unanimous: the Commanders have had a robust offseason thus far. Conor Orr of Sports Illustrated just lately launched his post-free-agency power rankings, in which he says “Commanders are contenders again,” rating them thirteenth.
I used to be vital of the Commanders’ offseason final 12 months. This 12 months, I really feel just like the staff’s strikes higher align with the franchise’s development charge. Tight finish Chig Okonkwo could possibly be a menace in this offense if used accurately, and including each Leo Chenal and Ok’Lavon Chaisson reveals me that Dan Quinn plans to essentially alter how Washington goes to strain opposing quarterbacks subsequent season. I see Washington slotting proper again into contender mode, having added the appropriate items quite than splashy ones this winter.
Most of the power rankings we have seen have Washington a lot decrease coming off a 5-12 season. Injuries performed a major function in the Commanders’ regression final season. So did age and a scarcity of velocity, therefore getting “younger and faster.”
Washington’s profitable free company permits Peters to concentrate on the very best participant accessible at No. 7 in subsequent month’s 2026 NFL Draft, which might very nicely be an offensive participant, resembling Notre Dame operating again Jeremiyah Love or Ohio State huge receiver Carnell Tate.
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This article initially appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Contenders again in new NFL power rankings