Commanders General Manager Adam Peters is not shying away from building on the team’s most successful season in over three decades.
They finally have their franchise quarterback in Jayden Daniels, an excellent head coach, and a fanbase hungry to see their team competing for Super Bowls. The Commanders have been one of the most active teams this offseason. Below is a summary of the moves they’ve made so far.
WR Deebo Samuel
One of the first offseason moves of any NFL team was the Commanders’ acquisition of Deebo Samuel in a trade with the 49ers.
Commanders received:
49ers received:
- 2025 fifth-round pick
Samuel had 51 catches for 670 yards and four total touchdowns in 2024. A change of scenery seemed necessary for both him and the 49ers, so he requested a trade (again) in early February. Peters was already familiar with Samuel from his time as the assistant general manager in San Francisco.
Samuel is in the last year of his contract, so expect him to have a bounce-back year in Washington.
John Lynch says they're on good terms with WR Deebo Samuel and they will honor his trade request:
"He asked for a fresh start and we're going to honor that."
— Clayton Holloway (@HollowayNFLN) February 26, 2025
LB Bobby Wagner
Wagner is returning to Washington on a one-year deal worth up to $9.5 million, with $8 million guaranteed.
The 11-time All-Pro is still producing at a high level, even at the age of 34. He led Washington in tackles last season with 132 and has recorded at least 100 tackles in every season of his career.
Although last season was his first in Washington, Wagner was already familiar with Commanders head coach Dan Quinn’s defense. Quinn served as his defensive coordinator with the Seahawks from 2013-14. During that time, Seattle’s defense, better known as the ‘Legion of Boom,’ became one of the greatest defenses in NFL history.
OT Laremy Tunsil
One of the more surprising trades this offseason was Houston getting rid of the five-time Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil.
Commanders receive:
- Laremy Tunsil
- 2025 fourth-round pick
Texans receive:
- 2025 third and seventh-round picks
- 2026 second and fourth-round picks
In 2024, he ranked second in pressure rate allowed, just behind Tristan Wirfs.
Laremy Tunsil has been INCREDIBLE
his rank in pressure rate allowed among LTs with at least 75 pass blocking snaps/yr:
2024: #2 of 56 (2.9%)
2023: #4 of 54 (3.9%)
2022: #2 of 51 (2.6%)All 3 years combined?
#2 of 44 (3.1%) LTs with 400+ pass blocking snaps
behind only…
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) March 10, 2025
Daniels now has one of the best left tackles in the game to protect his blindside. The Commanders needed to make this move as their offensive line was one of the weaker units in the NFL. They are likely to be without Sam Cosmi for the majority of next season due to his ACL tear in the NFC Divisional game against the Lions.
TE Zach Ertz
Ertz wasted no time re-signing with the Commanders, agreeing to a one-year, $6.25 million deal.
He is coming off his best season since playing for the Eagles in 2021. Ertz and Daniels grew a strong rapport as the season went on, with Ertz becoming Daniels’ go-to target on third and fourth down, as well as in the red zone. Ertz finished 2024 with 66 catches for 654 yards and seven touchdowns.
DT Javon Kinlaw
Kinlaw agreed to a three-year, $46 million deal with $30 million guaranteed.
With the release of long-time Commander Jonathan Allen, Washington needed to address the defensive tackle position. Kinlaw is a former first-round pick who spent last season with the Jets, where he had the best season of his career. He recorded five sacks and two forced fumbles. The Commanders are looking to improve against the run, where they ranked 31st in the NFL last year. Kinlaw hopes to contribute to that improvement.
TE John Bates
Another Washington tight end is returning in Bates, who signed a three-year, $21 million deal with $11.52 million guaranteed.
Bates’ role in Washington’s offense is not about his pass-catching ability. In 2024, he only had eight catches for 84 yards. Where he adds value is in the running game. Bates has emerged as one of the best run-blocking tight ends in the NFL.
Watch John Bates blocking on the McNichols TD pic.twitter.com/zpxaOCI6F2
— Mark Tyler (Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) September 29, 2024
QB Marcus Mariota
An unsung hero for Washington was backup quarterback Marcus Mariota, who is returning on a one-year, $8 million deal. The former Heisman winner was crucial in developing the fellow Heisman winner Daniels. A popular clip from this past season showed Mariota giving an exhausted Daniels a pep talk during a timeout in overtime against the Atlanta Falcons.
"Stand up, get your air… use your god-given ability. Go win us the game."
Marcus Mariota's words to Jayden Daniels before the OT game-winner 🙏
(via @NFLFilms) pic.twitter.com/cgyGgwCAvM
— NFL (@NFL) December 31, 2024
Following their talk, Daniels delivered a strike to Ertz for a touchdown to clinch a playoff spot for Washington. Mariota played well in the three games he appeared in. He completed 77.3% of his passes, threw four touchdowns and had no interceptions.
P Tress Way
The longest-tenured Commander is returning on a one-year, $2.87 million deal.
Way has been a part of the Washington organization since 2014, and has provided a consistent leg for the special teams unit. Over his tenure, Way has been a reliable presence, frequently ranking among the league’s top punters in both distance and net yardage.
K Zane Gonzalez
Gonzalez took over the kicking duties for the Commanders at the end of the season as Austin Seibert was sidelined with a right hip injury. Gonzalez was 5-for-7 in his field goal attempts and made all of his extra points this past season. He also played a key role in securing the Commanders’ first playoff victory since 2006, drilling a 37-yard field goal to defeat the Buccaneers in the Wild Card round last season.
A DOINK TO THE DIVISIONAL ROUND!!!! @COMMANDERS WIN! pic.twitter.com/TRwyX11zcZ
— NFL (@NFL) January 13, 2025
More Moves to Come
The offseason is still in its early stages, and the Commanders still have around $33 million in cap space remaining.
They have been tied to Bengals star defensive end Trey Hendrickson, who led the league in sacks with 17.5 last year. Adding Hendrickson would be a game-changer to compete with the Eagles for the NFC East title. They can also build the team through April’s draft.
With a mix of strategic signings and draft picks, Washington is positioning itself to have a very successful 2025-2026 campaign.
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