Grading the Washington Commanders offseason: Did Washington get better?
The New York Giants are in the off-season and each NFC East team is retooling their rosters in an effort to conquer the other three franchises. The Giants are the only team with a new coaching staff, as John Harbaugh looks to turn around the renowned, but struggling, franchise. The Philadelphia Eagles remain the dominant team in the division, and they’ve secured three of the last four division titles, including a 2024 Super Bowl victory. The Dallas Cowboys have underwhelmed, but have owned the New York Giants. Dallas made the playoffs three years in a row ( 2021-2023 ), but have failed to make the off-season the past two seasons. The departure of former defensive coordinator, Dan Quinn, as well as several questionable personnel decisions, have affected the team’s effectiveness. The aforementioned Dan Quinn is the head coach of the Washington Commanders – a team that went to the NFC Championship game in Jayden Daniels ’ epic 2024 rookie campaign. Unfortunately for Washington, the Commanders weren’t commanding much in 2025. Daniels struggled with injuries and the NFL seemed to have more answers for the young man than the Commanders had solutions. Nevertheless, though, Washington has retooled their roster and added younger defensive players, as well as some offensive weapons, that may help the Commanders get back to the playoffs. Let’s take a look at what Washington did since the end of their 5-12 season: Key subtractions LB Bobby Wagner, WR Deebo Samuel, EDGE Von Miller, C Tyler Biadasz, EDGE Preston Smith, RB Austin Ekeler, TE Zach Ertz, CB Marshon Lattimore, RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. Key additions: WR Dyami Brown , EDGE K’Lavon Chaisson, LB Leo Chenal, S Nick Cross, RB Jerome Ford, TE Chigoziem Okonkwo, EDGE Charles Omenihu, EDGE Odafe Oweh, CB Amik Robertson, DT Tim Settle Jr., RB Rachaad White, DT DJ Davidson, CB Ahkello Witherspoon Round 1, Pick 7 (7): Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State Round 3, Pick 71 (71): Antonio Williams , WR, Clemson Round 5, Pick 147 (147): Joshua Josephs, EDGE, Tennessee Round 6, Pick 187 (187): Kaytron Allen , RB, Penn State Round 6, Pick 209 (209): Matt Gulbin, C, Michigan State Round 7, Pick 223 (223): Athan Kaliakmanis, QB, Rutgers Jaden Bradley, WR, UNLV Tanoa Togiai, OG, Utah Jeffrey M’Ba, DT, SMU Malik Spencer, S, Michigan State Robert Henry Jr., RB, UTSA Quentin Moore, TE, Washington Chris Hilton Jr., WR, LSU Fred Davis II, CB, Northwestern Drew Stevens, K, Iowa Dan Quinn is losing plenty of veterans who brought valuable experience but were in the twilight of their careers; and, in the case of Ertz and Ekeler, were devastated by serious injuries. Wagner was the green-dot wearer for the last two years for Dan Quinn; he’s played over 1,100 snaps in both of his seasons with Washington, earning exceptional grades from Pro Football Focus. PFF had Wagner recording 215 tackles with 108 STOPs and 48 pressures over the last two seasons. He’s almost 36-years-old; is he getting long in the tooth? Yes, but his presence was still an invaluable one, and rookie Sonny Styles has gigantic shoes to fill, albeit the addition of former Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal will help the transition and provide Quinn with more defensive potential. Tim Settle was also signed to the defensive front, as well as former Giant DJ Davidson. The front looks better than it did in the 2025 season, with Daron Payne as the centerpiece and Frankie Luvu as the WILL; Chenal is an excellent addition for Quinn. Washington traded several draft assets for Marshon Lattimore , and the former Saints’ cornerback spent much of his time injured. He was released by the team, who will now rely on the young combination of Mike Sainristil and Trey Amos . Veteran Amik Robertson and Ahkello Witherspoon will also work into the rotation. Safety Nick Cross was added to the secondary on a two-year, $14-million contract. The Commanders put a focus on building a long and strong defensive line, especially on the trenches. Charles Omenihu an [... truncated ...]
