The Washington Commanders have plenty of needs heading into free agency next month. The good news is that Washington has over $75 million in salary cap space for 2026. However, the Commanders have over 30 free agents and must sign quality starters while also filling out the roster.
Two years ago, it was Adam Peters' first year as general manager and Dan Quinn's first year as head coach. The Commanders were active in free agency, in part, because they had to be. Four years of bad drafting by the previous regime left Washington lacking depth and talent. Peters signed numerous veterans to short-term deals while selectively signing key players to multi-year deals. It worked perfectly as most of the Commanders' signings were critical in their 12-5 2024 season.
Last offseason, Peters took a less active approach to free agency, with defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw (3 years, $45 million) receiving the most significant contract. It's not like Peters wasn't aggressive, as he did swing trades for left tackle Laremy Tunsil and wide receiver Deebo Samuel. Unfortunately, injuries hit, and a lack of depth was exposed, leading to a 5-12 season.
With quarterback Jayden Daniels entering the third season of his rookie contract, the time is now to be aggressive. And considering Washington lacks picks in the second and fourth rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft, it may have no choice but to be aggressive when free agency opens.
In previewing the offseason, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network previewed the Commanders. Rapoport thinks we could see "fireworks" from Washington.
"And now you have where the Commanders are this year, and they still have a lot of cap space, coming off a really disappointing season," Rapoport said. "A lot of the players they used to build two years ago, when they made the run to the NFC title, no offense to them, gotten a little older..........For the Washington Commanders, I wonder how active an offseason they have. Adam Peters has been aggressive. He has made trades, made a couple of big ones last offseason. It is an essential, important year for Washington. I wouldn't be surprised if there were some fireworks here, knowing how important it is, how much space they have and the window they have with a good, young quarterback. The time to spend is now."
From The Insiders on @NFLNetwork: Meanwhile, the #Commanders have the fifth-most projected cap space. What awaits them? pic.twitter.com/CQacSjlI9y
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 14, 2026
What does Rapoport mean? It doesn't sound like he thinks the Commanders will be signing a bunch of veterans to one-year deals at the league minimum. Much of what Washington will do is dictated by other teams. Some of the current top free agents will likely receive the franchise tag.
Peters and Quinn know they need talent upgrades across the roster. And with two first-time coordinators, Washington must give them help. It should be an interesting offseason.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Could we see 'fireworks' in free agency?