Free agent frenzy: “Expect rapid developments and major statements of intent from the Commanders”

According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, people around the league are expecting the Commanders to be aggressive. The senior insider even revealed that this could be Peters’ busiest offseason since taking charge. Considering how he completely gutted the roster during his first recruitment period, this is quite a statement.

“The pulse inside the league is that this year could be Washington’s most active offseason of the Adam Peters era that began in 2024. Washington has a roster with holes, nearly $90 million in cap space and star quarterback Jayden Daniels on a rookie deal. So, while the Commanders might not spend big on every position, they will be a presence.”

Fowler is one of the best and most well-connected insiders around. If this is the chatter in NFL circles, it suggests that Peters will turn over every stone and go on the front foot to put the Commanders in a more profitable position.

There is a lot of money to spend, but the Commanders also have a plethora of needs to fill. The defense needs a complete overhaul to put Daronte Jones’ grand plans into action. All three levels need quality acquisitions, given that this was the league’s worst unit by a considerable margin in 2025.

Washington also needs to provide firepower for quarterback Jayden Daniels at wide receiver and tight end. The Commanders are closely linked to several veteran running backs, including Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III. There are also questions along the offensive line, with starting left guard Chris Paul testing the market and center Tyler Biadasz already released.

There is a lot to get through. Peters won’t be sitting on his hands, but Washington remains a relatively attractive destination. They have grand plans for the future. They also have Daniels under center, who’ll be striving with everything he has to stay healthy and silence his doubters next season.

The time to attack is upon Peters. Fans should expect rapid developments and major statements of intent from the Commanders.

Remember, the Commanders are not going to sign any quarterback to a contract to compete for the starting job. We are simply asking, if Mariota determines to sign elsewhere, to whom do Dan Quinn and Adam Peters turn to serve as their backup quarterback?

Five more who did not make our short list: Jimmy Garoppolo, Mitchell Trubisky, Kenny Pickett, Gardinar Minshew, and Sam Ehlinger. That’s not an encouraging group to pick from if you’re the Commanders.

Washington faces heightened urgency to build a contender around quarterback Jayden Daniels, which means when the NFL’s legal tampering window begins Monday at noon ET (and when new deals can be officially signed starting Wednesday at 4 p.m.), the Commanders should be spenders.

The previous two years may not provide much of a guide. The Commanders’ focus has shifted since Peters gutted the roster in 2024 and then re-signed many of Washington’s own (older) veterans to one-year deals in 2025.

This year, the priority is to build the foundation by signing some younger players, especially those coming off their first NFL contracts, to longer deals, according to one person with direct knowledge of the Commanders’ approach.

The Commanders need to add speed across the board, provide more playmakers around Daniels and rebuild a defense that has lagged for years. Luckily for them, they have the means to accomplish this.

Washington’s receiving corps was decimated by injuries last season, and their most frequently available option, Deebo Samuel, is now headed for free agency. The Commanders need a No. 2 behind Terry McLaurin, and they need to add speed. Enter Shaheed, an undrafted receiver out of Weber State who now has a pair of Pro Bowl nods and a Super Bowl ring.

Shaheed was probably going to have a healthy market after his run with the New Orleans Saints, but he bolstered his stock even more after he was traded to the Seattle Seahawks last season and proved to be one of the best acquisitions at the deadline. In Washington, he’d provide another deep threat who could double as their ace returner. (Counting the playoffs, he returned three kicks for touchdowns in 12 games with the Seahawks.)

After shifting from starter to rotational piece under head coach Mike McDonald, Mafe still appeared in every game where he posted just two sacks and 31 total tackles. Mafe became a household name across the league after registering nine sacks in 2023 then six in 2024. But he was efficient when on the field as his 18.7% pass rush win rate ranked eighth among edge rushers and his 11.4% pressure rate ranked 17th. He’ll turn 28 midseason, joining the rest as younger options who add disruption to a Commanders front seven that lacked exactly that. ESPN projected a three year, $48 million deal with $25 million guaranteed.

Of course, Washington still enters free agency with one of the biggest questions still unanswered with Laremy Tunsil still expected to receive a contract extension, which could end up creating slightly more cap space this offseason depending how it ends up getting structured. While the expectation remains the two sides finalize his contract ahead of 2026, it remains a question for general manager Adam Peters to officially cross off heading into the rest of March.

It will be an active offseason for Washington with Monday at noon marking the first chance for general manager Adam Peters and the front office able to start making moves in the open market to begin filling the long list of roster holes.

The legal negotiating period for NFL free agency opens at Noon ET on Monday. Free agents are eligible to begin negotiating with other teams, but cannot sign contracts until Wednesday, when the new NFL league year begins.

This deadline isn’t a concern for Tunsil or the Commanders. That’s because he has one year remaining on his current contract. Tunsil has a base salary of $20.9 million for 2026 with a cap number of $24.9 million, via Over the Cap. But make no mistake, Tunsil wants a deal done.

Tunsil was in the Washington area for a Wizards game recently. What did that mean? Maybe nothing. However, on Sunday, Tunsil was busy on his Instagram page, posting several images and videos of himself in a Commanders’ uniform from last season.

It could mean that Tunsil is confident that a new deal with Washington is close. Otherwise, why the series of posts? Peters maintained optimism that a new deal with Tunsil will not drag on like the Terry McLaurin situation in 2025.

Rashawn Slater became the highest-paid offensive tackle in NFL history last season with a four-year extension worth $114 million, with $92 million in guaranteed money. While Slater is younger than Tunsil, the five-time Pro Bowler is expected to average around $30 million annually on his next deal.

The Commanders acquired Tunsil and a fourth-round pick from the Houston Texans last offseason for picks in the second (2026), third (2025) and fourth rounds (2026). Tunsil was phenomenal in his first season in Washington and the expectation is a deal will get done sooner rather than later.

FLEXIBILITY: Washington Commanders’ Mock Offseason UNVEILS How Jayden Daniels LEADS the Rebuild

Live free Agency preview with Ben Standig (and Mark Bullock)

The next item for [GM} Howie [Roseman] is trying to keep Jaelan Phillips. We haven’t heard anything on that front. As much as Phillips likely wants to stay in Philly, his agent wants him to at least test the market. Khalil Mack just signed a 1-year deal to stay with the Chargers. He got $18M guaranteed.

The edge rusher market is very much up in the air right now. Mack and Crosby are gone. Trey Hendrickson will have several teams coming after him. The Vikings have let it be known that Jonathan Greenard is available via trade. Odafe Oweh and Phillips are two of the key targets. You just don’t know if people will throw huge money at them. Each player has some question marks. Let’s hope Howie can get something worked out with Phillips.

Jalen Carter’s name was mentioned as part of some trade discussions. This may or may not mean anything. First, 31 other teams can call and ask about a player. That doesn’t mean he’s being shopped. The other thing to remember is that the Eagles get talked about a lot because of Howie’s reputation as a deal-maker. Not every report that comes out is true. Agents and other teams leak info to help create a market at times.

It is possible that the Eagles talked to other teams about Carter. If someone made a huge offer, Howie might be tempted. You’d rather not give up a special DT, but economics are a factor. The Eagles will have to extend Carter sometime soon. And he won’t be cheap.

Always consider your options.

Koonce is a name that has been gaining steam after a breakout period where he showed he could be a nightmare for opposing blockers. His ability to bend around the edge and his refined hand techniques allowed him to rack up sacks in bunches, proving he is more than just a rotational body. He provides the high-energy wins that Dixon demands, often turning a stalemated play into a highlight reel moment through sheer will. He plays with the kind of chip on his shoulder that suggests he is still mad about a game of tag he lost in the third grade.

Reddick is perhaps the most natural fit for the hybrid 3-4 outside linebacker role that this new staff wants to implement. A once consistent double-digit sack artist, Reddick is the prototype for a stand-up rusher who can drop into coverage just as easily as he can bury a quarterback. His age and recent performance will make him a more affordable option, but his bend, motor, and versatility provide a skillset that could be in play for a team that is looking for a veteran presence with some rebound upside.

Zakee Wheatley, Penn State

What more can you say? It’s a pretty good class of safeties this year. Zakee Wheatley is a big, tall athlete at 6’3” who runs very well. Wheatley gets downhill in a hurry to deliver big hits. Thanks to his size and speed, he has good range to take away potential big plays in the secondary. He can play in a two-deep shell and handle playing as the single high safety. His best year in college came in 2024 when he had 96 tackles, a sack, and three interceptions. Wheatley will need to work on shedding blocks, especially when playing in the box. Wheatley is set to land between the second and third round.

Chris Johsnon projects as a starting cornerback with scheme versatility at the NFL level.

The issues in Johnson’s profile – level of competition, arm length, “okay” mass – could give some teams pause and be enough to keep him out of the first round. However, his athleticism, instincts, and ball skills are all worthy of a first round selection. That could make him an incredible value at the top of the second round, and he should be a starter early in his career.

Johnson has the potential to be an impact player in the NFL if he lands in the right situation.

Final Word: A late first or early second round pick.

The Rams and star cornerback Trent McDuffie reached agreement Sunday on a record four-year, $124 million extension that includes $100 million guaranteed, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The new contract makes McDuffie, 25, the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history.

Last Wednesday, the Rams agreed to acquire McDuffie from the Kansas City Chiefs for a package of picks that includes the No. 29 selection in the 2026 NFL draft. The trade and the deal can become official Wednesday at the start of the new league year.

The Las Vegas Raiders are trading an undisclosed 2026 sixth-round draft pick in exchange for Buffalo Bills CB Taron Johnson and an undisclosed 2026 seventh-round selection, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Sunday night.

The Raiders have two sixth round draft picks (one from the New York Jets) and the Bills have two seventh round draft picks (from the Dallas Cowboys and Jets).

Johnson was set to be released Friday, but the move was not made official prior to the league transaction wire’s release.

The 29-year-old Johnson will now be heading to Las Vegas with the Raiders making a move for the veteran CB.

As noted this afternoon, tight end Travis Kelce becomes a free agent tomorrow. Against that basic background are conflicting reports as to whether he’ll possibly play for a team other than the Chiefs.

Earlier tonight, The Athletic reported that Kelce is expected to return for a 14th NFL season, but that it’s not a “sure thing” he’ll re-sign with the Chiefs. Thereafter, Rob Maaddi of the Associated Press pointed out his Scouting Combine-week report that, if Kelce plays, he’ll play only for the Chiefs, and won’t test the market.

Per The Athletic, Kelce’s agents are expected to talk to multiple teams once the negotiating period opens.

In advance of Wednesday’s start of the new league year and the opening of free agency, a 52-hour legal tampering period begins Monday at noon ET. During that window, teams can start negotiating with the agents of players who will become unrestricted free agents.

No contracts can be signed during that initial window, and teams are also prohibited from speaking directly with players. The initial window, however, allows teams to begin roster planning, advance salary cap strategies ahead of Wednesday, when all teams must be cap-compliant, and minimize back-door negotiations around the league.

Teams will have additional financial room to work with after the NFL set the 2026 salary cap at $301.2 million per team, a record amount and $22 million more than the 2025 level.

The event was originally scheduled to be played at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, but relocated to Los Angeles because of the war in the Middle East. It will still air on Fox Sports.

The new event will include three 12-player teams: two composed of a mix of current and former NFL stars or athletes outside of football, and a third represented by USA Football’s reigning IFAF world championship team.

One team will be captained by Tom Brady and Jalen Hurts, and coached by Sean Payton. A second team will be captained by Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels, and coached by Kyle Shanahan. Robert Saleh will serve as a defensive specialist for both teams.

The Brady/Hurts and Daniels/Burrow teams will draft their 12-person squads Wednesday from a pool of 24 current and former NFL players and athletes outside of football. The pod of players will include Saquon Barkley, Myles Garrett, Odell Beckham Jr., Rob Gronkowski and Logan Paul.

The U.S. men’s national team will be captained by Aamir Brown and Darrell “Housh” Doucette and coached by Jorge Cascudo. BMO Stadium also will host the 2028 Olympic flag football competition.

1. Trey Hendrickson, Edge

2025 team: Cincinnati Bengals | Age entering 2026 season: 31

What he brings: Hendrickson is a relentless defender off the edge, with a deep toolbox of counters and a knack for making plays late in the down. In seven games last season, he had four sacks. His 17.5 sacks and 65 pressures in 2024 were league highs. Hendrickson would immediately upgrade just about any team’s defensive line.

2025 team: Baltimore Ravens | Age entering 2026 season: 26

What he brings: Linderbaum has a tone-setting mentality on the interior of the front, using elite foot speed and body control to match pass rushers or climb to the second level in the run game. His pass block win rate of 97.2% tied for second among 31 qualifying centers last season.

2025 team: Philadelphia Eagles | Age entering 2026 season: 27

What he brings: With his long 6-foot-5 frame, Phillips can play as both an edge setter and pocket disrupter. After being traded to the Eagles on Nov. 3, he had two sacks and 27 pressures in coordinator Vic Fangio’s system, flashing improved range to the ball. Over his five-year career, Phillips has accounted for 28 sacks and 150 pressures.

2025 team: Indianapolis Colts | Age entering 2026 season: 26

What he brings: A vertical stretch target at 6-foot-3 and 211 pounds, Pierce averaged a league-best 21.3 yards per catch in 2025. He also topped the 1,000-yard receiving mark and brought in six touchdowns. Pierce has the straight-line speed to lift the safeties, creating open coverage voids underneath for other targets. With more volume and an increased role, he has the skills to produce as a multilevel route runner.

2025 team: Green Bay Packers | Age entering 2026 season: 26

What he brings: Walker’s pass block win rate of 93.8% ranked 11th among 68 qualifying offensive tackles. His technique could still improve and he lacks a strong anchor, but he has the footwork and mobility to match the speed of edge rushers. At a premium position, Walker will see heavy interest in free agency.

2025 team: Los Angeles Chargers | Age entering 2026 season: 27

What he brings: An explosive pass rusher who gets off the ball in a hurry, Oweh can also flatten his path to maneuver around offensive tackles. After getting traded from the Ravens on Oct. 7, Oweh had 7.5 sacks and 27 pressures in Los Angeles. Plus, he recorded three sacks in the team’s wild-card loss to the Patriots.