Nobody envisaged the Washington Commanders winning 12 regular-season games and two postseason triumphs en route to the NFC Championship. They didn't do enough to get over the hump, but the future looks incredibly bright for this once-downtrodden organization.
The Commanders are in a better spot than most. Adam Peters is armed with the NFC's most salary-cap space, although he's got plenty of important decisions to make regarding free agents before attention turns to recruitment. Washington also boasts seven draft selections despite giving up capital to acquire four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore from the New Orleans Saints.
More important than any of that, the Commanders are an attractive destination once again. They are a hotbed of positivity with a phenom under center in rookie sensation Jayden Daniels. That'll make things easier to attract the correct upgrades, but they won't be a surprise teams don't see coming next season.
There is more optimism heading into this offseason than at any stage for more than two decades. Collaboration and purpose replaced pessimism and despair. Peters did a remarkable job of regenerating the roster while also maintaining long-term financial flexibility. The project is way ahead of schedule, so expect the front-office leader to be more aggressive this time around.
With this in mind, here are five bold predictions for the Commanders entering the 2025 offseason.
Bold prediction for the Commanders' offseason in 2025
Adam Peters turns over half the Commanders' roster
It didn't take long for Adam Peters' assessment of the team he inherited to become public knowledge. The Washington Commanders needed a drastic overhaul. What followed was two-thirds of the playing personnel being gutted by the new regime.
This had a desired effect. Peters found the right blend of youth and experience. He found players who'd buy into the team's culture shift under head coach Dan Quinn. And he did it while keeping the bigger picture in mind at all times.
The results were immediate. Washington became the league's surprise package and came within touching distance of winning the NFC. That was the biggest morale boost imaginable, but that won't stop Peters from ringing the changes once again.
The Commanders have dozens of free agents. They are loaded with financial assets and draft capital. Peters will stop at nothing to mold the roster as he sees fit. If that means more alterations, so be it.
Perhaps the revamp won't be as brutal as the 2024 offseason. However, it could easily be around half the roster considering there are only 43 players under contract as things stand.
Commanders will trade Jonathan Allen
Jonathan Allen's future is a big talking point among Washington Commanders fans. The defensive tackle has one more year and no guaranteed money remaining on his deal. His production has slipped over the last two seasons, although his leadership within the locker room remains unquestioned.
Allen was one of the league's most imposing defensive tackles once upon a time. The former first-round pick is a two-time Pro Bowler who had his prime years wasted by the previous regime. He deserves credit for coming back from a torn pectoral to help Washington's playoff quest, but that doesn't detract from his uncertain status heading into the offseason.
The Commanders will take everything into account. Letting Allen see out the final season of his contract is plausible despite the need to fortify the trenches on both sides of the football. His performance against the Detroit Lions showed what he could still do. It's keeping this up consistently that represents the biggest challenge these days.
Washington saves $17 million on its 2025 salary cap by cutting or trading Allen this offseason, incurring $6 million in dead money. The market is unlikely to be robust, but there could be one or two clubs willing to secure his services for a mid-to-late round draft pick.
Don't rule it out by any stretch…
Commanders sign 4 Cowboys players for Dan Quinn
Dan Quinn was eager to maximize his second head coaching opportunity. He worked hard to restore his reputation after being fired by the Atlanta Falcons. He learned some harsh lessons, which spurred him to hit the ground running in a different environment.
Quinn wanted to surround himself with people he trusted. He brought several coaches and players he's worked with previously to help implement his strategic intent and culture shift. This was the right call to make to smooth the transition.
Everyone bought in. Everyone stayed together through the good times and bad. Players hung on Quinn's every word and he guided them through a campaign that will live long in the memory.
The Commanders could deploy a similar method this offseason. Quinn likes guys who know his system and the demands placed on them from a leadership standpoint. Nobody has anything but good things to say about the coach. Couple this with Washington's resurgence into a potential powerhouse, players should be relishing the prospect of joining this project.
It wouldn't be surprising to see Quinn look toward the Dallas Cowboys for reinforcements again. They're a team in transition with a new defensive coordinator. Those with the chance to jump ship could take the plunge, especially if the Commanders come calling.
Commanders sign two new starting offensive tackles
Coming agonizingly close to the Super Bowl was a magnificent achievement. It also left no doubt about what the Washington Commanders must do to go one better in the coming years.
This starts and ends in the trenches. What the Commanders had at their disposal sufficed for the most part. That won't be enough to return to the NFL's top table and stay there.
Adam Peters knows the best way to build a contender is from the inside out. The general manager's been around winning franchises before and is off to the best possible start in Washington. Finding ways to improve the protection in front of quarterback Jayden Daniels will be high on his list of priorities.
Specifically, the offensive tackle positions.
Brandon Coleman did well as a rookie aside from the expected growing pains. He's part of the future, but whether that's on the edge or the interior remains to be seen. Peters won't settle, so he won't hesitate to upgrade if the right opportunity presents itself.
Veteran right tackle Andrew Wylie has one more year remaining on his contract. While he performed better than last season, that won't stop Peters from making him a salary-cap casualty with the savings attached.
Two new starting offensive tackles would be a bold approach. However, it cannot be completely dismissed at this juncture.
Commanders trade for Myles Garrett
Myles Garrett's trade request shook the NFL to its foundations. The defensive end became disillusioned to the point of last-resort action after another woeful campaign from the Cleveland Browns in 2024. They won't be giving him up without a fight, but the All-Pro edge rusher made his feelings abundantly clear.
Garrett hinted during his media availability at Radio Row ahead of the Super Bowl that he wouldn't mind joining the Commanders if something could be worked out. That sent the rumor mill into overdrive, but there are several difficult hurdles to overcome before it becomes a reality.
The Browns are reluctant sellers unwilling to entertain offers right now. If they do become receptive, the price will be astronomical. Garrett is a generational player, there's no getting away from that. However, sacrificing so much would jeopardize Peters' chances of molding an all-around roster.
Opportunities like this don't come along too often. The Commanders would be foolish not to inquire. If they genuinely believe Garrett can get them over the hump and they can still strengthen other problem areas, Peters will pull the trigger.
That would be the biggest statement of intent possible. It would also be one of the biggest trades in NFL history in Peters' second offseason at the helm.
