Grading the Commanders' Offseason So Far: How Adam Peters is Insulating Jayden Daniels

The 2025 Commanders season was a step back for the franchise and, honestly, felt like a gut punch. Coming off a surprising 12-5 campaign and a run to the NFC Championship game in 2024, the fall to 5-12—largely characterized by non competitive performances—was a difficult pill for the fanbase to swallow.

The fall in the standings was painful, but the physical toll on superstar sophomore quarterback Jayden Daniels was even more concerning. Daniels endured a gauntlet of injuries throughout the year: a knee sprain in Week 2, a hamstring strain in Week 7, and a dislocated elbow in Week 9. The team eventually shelved him for the final three games to protect his long-term health. It was clear the roster lacked the talent to insulate him, and Jayden put too much pressure on himself to play "Superman."

General Manager Adam Peters clearly took that frustration to heart. He spent the first week of free agency aggressively "rebuilding the foundation" to set his QB up for success in 2026. Let’s take a look at his moves so far.

Before free agency officially began, Peters set the tone by securing the signal-caller’s blindside. He reached a massive two-year, $60.2M extension with Pro Bowl LT Laremy Tunsil, keeping the veteran in D.C. through 2028. Tunsil has been exactly as advertised since arriving from Houston, proving to be one of the league’s elite pass protectors with an 88.9 PFF pass-blocking grade.

Beyond the Tunsil blockbuster, Peters re-signed veteran swing tackle Trent Scott, who famously caught Daniels' first career touchdown pass and provided steady relief last season in his limited starts. Additionally, the return of Chris Paul provides crucial stability at the guard position. Paul took over as the starting LG in Week 3 of last season and never looked back, finishing with a stellar 78.2 PFF pass-blocking grade, which ranked 5th among all NFL guards. Paul is expected to compete with former third-round pick Brandon Coleman for the starting left guard role heading into training camp.

With these moves, Washington returns four of its five starters on the offensive line. This level of continuity is vital for the growth of Jayden Daniels and shouldn’t be minimized. The only remaining question mark is at Center, where Nick Allegretti is currently slated to start after proving his versatility at both guard and center last season. While Allegretti is a high-IQ veteran, many expect Peters to address this position early in the April draft.

Grade: B+

The signing of RB Rachaad White was another excellent way to raise the team’s floor and provide comfort for Daniels. The signing of White to a one-year, $2M deal was a convenient and practical lean into chemistry. White and Daniels were a lethal duo at Arizona State for two seasons, and they are now reuniting at the right time.

While in Tempe, Daniels and White combined for two productive seasons in 2021-2022, with White topping out at 1,462 scrimmage yards and 16 total touchdowns in 2021.

In Washington, White will provide a familiar safety valve for Daniels as part of a running back by committee approach in D.C. Last season, White posted a career-high PFF rushing grade of 80.9, which ranked 12th out of 55 qualifying RBs. Although I don’t foresee a 1,000-yard season from the former Sun Devil, I do expect a solid third-down back and pass catcher. White averages over 50 catches per season and has protected for Tom Brady, Baker Mayfield, and now his buddy Jayden Daniels.

In addition, the team added former Cleveland Brown Jerome Ford to the mix. Both RBs offer a quick pass option to the offense and some versatility out of the backfield. Daniels now has a quick outlet and veteran RBs to help pass protect to complement now second-year player Jacory Croskey-Merritt.

Heading into next season, this RB room is fine as is. But it could receive an extra jolt of energy depending on how the draft unfolds.

Grade: B

With the late-season injury to TE Zach Ertz, the Commanders needed an influx of youth and athleticism at the position. While John Bates and Ben Sinnott are exceptional pass blockers, the offense lacked an explosive element.

Enter Chig Okonkwo, who spent his college career at Maryland—just 12 miles away from Northwest Stadium. Okonkwo signed a three-year, $30M contract to provide a seam-buster and athletic outlet in the middle of the field. He is coming off career highs in receptions (56) and yards (560).

More importantly, he has proven to be a YAC monster. Last season, he ranked 7th among all NFL TEs in Yards After Catch per reception at 6.2 per Next Gen Stats. The former Terrapin gives Daniels a middle-of-the-field threat that can turn a 5-yard check-down into a 20-yard gain. While in Tennessee, Okonkwo was a featured component of the offense and provided plays specifically designed to highlight his athletic ability, including designed bubble screens and being flexed out as a big slot. He is arguably the biggest addition to the offense this offseason so far, and the one I am most excited about.

Grade: B+

While the team has solidified the protection in front of Daniels and provided safety valves for the QB, the “WR2” position is still a work in progress. Many around the league feel like another ASU reunion with Brandon Aiyuk is inevitable. The hope is that the former Sun Devil will come to D.C. and sign a one-year “prove-it” deal once his messy exit from the 49ers is finalized.

His addition is sorely needed, both short-term and long-term. As the WR room currently stands, returning WR Dyami Brown is slated to be the starting “Z” receiver across from Terry McLaurin, with veterans Van Jefferson, Treylon Burks (who recently signed a one-year extension), Luke McCaffrey, and Jaylin Lane providing depth.

The room is improved compared to last year, but it is by no means envied by other teams around the league. It’s a clear work in progress with a lack of star power. Short-term, the team needs an impact WR this season to draw pressure away from McLaurin and open up the field. Aiyuk can provide that.

Long-term, the team needs a plan. McLaurin’s cap hit is set to soar to $34M in 2027, and Peters needs a plan for the future. Does he dip into the draft and add a receiver? Standouts Makai Lemon, Jordyn Tyson, and Carnell Tate will likely be available at pick 7, while others such as KC Concepcion could be had at pick 71. This is widely viewed as a deep WR class, and it would be wise for Peters to double-dip with Aiyuk plus a rookie. You can argue this is still the team’s biggest remaining need.

Grade: C-

Adam Peters has delivered a calculated, efficient first week of free agency. He has successfully shifted the philosophy away from "stop-gap" veterans and toward a core that can grow alongside our franchise QB. By addressing the protection and the backfield early, Peters has removed the "panic" from the upcoming draft. Washington is no longer forced to reach for a specific position at No. 7; instead, they have the flexibility to simply take the best player available and continue building the right way around Jayden Daniels.