Seven questions for Washington Commanders to answer in 2026 offseason

After suffering a second four-win season in three seasons, the Washington Commanders have a long list of questions than answers heading into the offseason. With work cut out for general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn, we take a look at the most pressing questions that need answers with the regular season officially complete:

What happens to the coaching staff?

While it's viewed likely that Dan Quinn returns for a third season as head coach, the same can't be said for his coordinators.

The most obvious is the defensive side of the ball after head coach Dan Quinn took over play-calling duties after the 44-22 loss vs. Detroit on Nov. 9, the second time within one month the defense allowed 44 points in a loss. Joe Whitt remained in his role as defensive coordinator for the remainder of the season, but with a chance at a fresh start and need to upgrade the defensive talent, a change of face could be on the horizon.

Offense? Different story. Kliff Kingsbury's offense struggled with consistency, whether it be with who is available or on-field results, yet his name has remained consistent among assistants who could be in the mix for head coaching jobs. The New York Giants were among the teams linked to Kingsbury as one of two teams with a head coaching vacancy during the 2025 season, while JP Finlay pointed to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a potential team to watch down the line. Whether it's in the division or conference - or not - whether a third season materializes for Kingsbury is worth tracking for the second straight offseason. Washington already watched Tavita Pritchard depart to be named the next head coach at Stanford, elevating David Blough in his absence, though whether that remains as the long-term answer is unclear.

The latest reporting has pointed to head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters expected to return, but a change on defense is likely while what happens with Kingsbury is unclear.

Everything. Everywhere. All of it.

Washington ended the season ranked among the worst defenses in total defense, pass defense and run defense. In summary: Washington needs upgrades everywhere.

Of course, the big question is the status of defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr., but beyond that, the roster needs major upgrades.

Head coach Dan Quinn has pointed to second-year Jordan Magee as someone he's been consistently high on through the 2025 season, and with veteran Bobby Wagner now headed into free agency, will Magee move into the starting inside linebacker role in 2026?

While Jer'Zhan Newton had a mixed second season, highlighted by his three-sack game vs. Dallas, Javon Kinlaw is coming off a disappointing season after inking a three-year deal with $30 million guaranteed and up to $45 million. Addressing the defensive line sits atop the priorities with an impactful edge like Miami (FL)'s Rueben Bain, Auburn's Keldric Faulk or Texas Tech's David Bailey among the draft prospects linked to Washington.

DL Daron Payne could be on the move this offseason, while what happens to cornerback Marshon Lattimore is also worth tracking after a disappointing start in 2024 materialized into a brutal 2025 season with his future up in the air. Moving on from Lattimore could save an additional roughly $20 million in cap space.

Latest mock drafts point to Ohio State safety Caleb Downs as a likely selection, though edge rushers David Bailey out of Texas Tech and Rueben Bain Jr out of Miami (FL) remain popular projections with the front seven just as much of a question mark.

WR Deebo Samuel, punter Tress Way, guard Chris Paul, quarterback Marcus Mariota, edge Von Miller, linebacker Bobby Wagner, defensive tackle Eddie Goldman, running back Jeremy McNichols - all set to be free agents. General manager Adam Peters is set to watch nearly 30 become free agents this offseason with several holes to fill, but who are the priorities for the front office and coaching staff?

It helps that Washington enters the offseason with over $128 million in projected cap space, while they will pick inside the top ten for the second time in three years to give the roster a desperately-needed impact piece in what, for now, is expected to be a defensive pick.

While we'll dive into a handful of notable situations across the roster, TE Zach Ertz could opt to hang up the cleats after the 35-year-old future Hall of Famer suffered a torn ACL against Arizona, a heartbreaking ending to a strong season near the end of his career. Similar could be said for RB Austin Ekeler, who suffered a torn Achilles in the week two loss vs. Green Bay, as he's set to enter the open market.

Washington enters with a long list of questions, one we took a stab at answering ahead of the season finale.

Washington entered the 2025 season with one of the best tandems in the NFL with Deebo Samuel paired with Terry McLaurin - once his holdout finally ended and he rejoined the team for preseason workouts. But the season went anything but how either the staff or fans expected with Daniels, Samuel and McLaurin on the field together for just three games together in 2025. Much smaller sample size to evaluate.

But what was clear was Deebo Samuel proved his value in the Commanders offense after leading the team with 70 catches and 707 yards while adding five touchdowns. The veteran wideout was also able to showcase himself as a more dynamic receiver with OC Kliff Kingsbury using the one-time Niners' Swiss Army knife out of the backfield, allowing him to rack up 93 yards from scrimmage in the first half vs. Dallas.

In a perfect world, Samuel is undoubtedly back for year two, but this is a business. What will the numbers look like for Samuel? And with plenty of cap flexibility, will Washington open the checkbook for a WR2? That checkbook could opt to stay open - but patient - until free agency with several intriguing candidates available. Maybe a Samuel return is contingent on a return from Kliff Kingsbury, but with a chance to cash in on one final big contract, whether Washington is able to keep him is one of the biggest storylines.

Noah Brown also enters the offseason on an expiring deal, though Washington could look to find other options to round out the room. Could one of those be Treylon Burks? The former Titans WR led his unit with 40 snaps against Dallas despite finishing with one catch on two targets, while his 'Monday Night Football' touchdown vs. Denver marked the highlight of his 118 catches for 118 yards. The 25-year-old wideout gives Washington a low-risk and possibly financially attractive option to round out the 2026 room.

Maybe not a top priority, but heading into the final season of his contract, Washington has a chance to lock up one of the NFL's best tackles.

The Commanders acquired Tunsil from Houston last offseason in exchange for a handful of draft picks - a trade that also landed Jaylin Lane, who was named an alternate for the Pro Bowl as a rookie.

Tunsil earned the third-best pass blocking grade among tackles, per PFF, after allowing just two tackles and 11 hurries in 802 snaps.

A report emerged last month that the two sides were expected to discuss an extension this offseason with Tunsil more than open to staying in DC.

"Even though we have a losing record, it's still a good environment to come work in," he said. "It's not like that in other places. Like when I was losing in Houston in 2020, 2021, 2022, it was like 'damn I got to go to work. I got to deal with this s*it again.' Coming here, [Dan Quinn] still makes it fun. It's enjoyable to come to work."

With protecting Jayden Daniels a premium priority, keeping the veteran tackle who Washington gave up two 2026 draft picks for proved to be worth it in 2025.

Jayden Daniels is the only quarterback who remains currently under contract beyond the 2025 season. That poses a question mark for Washington. Does that bode well for Marcus Mariota, who struggled in 2025 but offers veteran experience both in the league and in Washington with two seasons under his belt with the Commanders? Sam Hartman's experience is limited to the preseason with the front office and staff opting to turn to a pair of veteran quarterbacks, including one off the practice squad of another team, over its former UDFA signing with both Daniels and Mariota sidelined. Could someone like Jameis Winston come in through free agency and step into a leadership role as the veteran backup? It's a question mark for Peters, Quinn & Co. to answer likely in free agency, but they have a chance to address it before then.

The tight end room was anchored by the veteran with future Hall of Famer Zach Ertz proving to loom large in 2025 as one of the team's top pass catchers amid a revolving door of starting quarterbacks.

But now, with Ertz entering free agency, what's next is as much of a question mark at the position after Ertz suffered a season-ending torn ACL vs. Arizona. With a severe injury at this stage of his career, now the question becomes will be opt to return for one more season?

With Ertz's status up in the air, Washington doesn't have much behind the veteran with Ben Sinnott and John Bates tied with nine catches in 2025 with Sinnott's four-yard touchdown the lone score between them all season. Several productive tight end targets will hit the market this offseason while Bears TE Cole Kmet is an intriguing trade target given only $3.2 in dead cap for Chicago to move on this offseason. But with wide receiver also a focus, upgrading the talent around Jayden Daniels might start with the tight end room after Ertz proved to be a clear security blanket for both he and Mariota.