The Washington Commanders drew mixed feedback from how they attacked free agency ahead of a pivotal 2026 season.
The Washington Commanders have a chance to add at least another impact addition to the 2026 roster when the 2026 NFL Draft materializes later this month after the free agency flurry wrapped up, but there was one bit of perceived poor feedback for the Commanders.
Despite a pair of outlets explaining why they're bullish on both the class and one signing in particular, one anonymous executive noted, "they are making a bunch of revolving-door moves this year, which looks like a panic to me" in a story by The Athletic overlooking the free agency period.
That's a debatable claim given it analyzes the results while overlooking the pursuits. The Commanders were on the shortlist of suitors for Tyler Linderbaum, Alec Pierce, Jaelen Phillips and Romeo Doubs - four players ranked in ESPN's top 20 players available with Doubs at 20 the lone target outside the top ten. Washington was also reportedly a player for veteran edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, but they did pull the trigger on Odafe Oweh, who has his own questions to answer yet ranked as the sixth-best available free agent.
One anonymous executive noted that Oweh is more of a designated pass rusher "than an every-down guy" while adding the defense needed to add speed.
Another anonymous quote pointed to the Commanders signing "fringe starters," possibly in reference to signings like edge rusher K'Lavon Chaisson and veteran cornerbacks Amik Robertson and Akhello Witherspoon. Yet it ignores the need for Washington to upgrade its depth while replenishing some of the aging, departing talent with young blood across the roster.
The two cornerback signings mark the only free agent signings older than 30 years old, leaving a lingering question for the front office to address at that position, but also following through on general manager Adam Peters's statement that the team needed to get "younger and faster" with an emphasis on that this offseason.
Interior defensive lineman Tim Settle, who returned to the organization that drafted him, is one who drew praise as an under the radar addition after an executive noted he was the "best run defender" on the Texans last year.
"The interior guy who knocks people back," the executive added.
Settle will join a deeper defensive line rotation with Javon Kinlaw, Daron Payne and Jer'Zhan Newton, who head coach Dan Quinn praised last week, all back in 2026 while the team re-signed Shy Tuttle this offseason.
Washington also addressed the tight end room with Chig Okonkwo serving as a necessary weapon in the passing game while multiple free agent signings have restocked the running back room. Meanwhile, the top of the wide receiver room remains a question mark as the Commanders look to insulate quarterback Jayden Daniels with talent in a pivotal year three. And according to one executive, Daniels is the X-factor for Washington after playing just four full games in 2025.
“It is going to depend on how the quarterback plays. He can save it all."
Whether Washington is able to change the narrative across league executives through the draft will be a question, but so will whether the Commanders can get back on track after a setback 2025 season, paving the way for a pivotal year three for head coach Dan Quinn.