Adam Peters oversaw some dramatic improvements in his once-downtrodden organization in 2024. But make no mistake, the Washington Commanders general manager will not settle by any stretch of the imagination.
This is the best position Washington has been in for more than three decades. There is legitimate hope for the future after coming within one game of the Super Bowl. There is new ownership, an enhanced structure in the front office, and a franchise quarterback under center in rookie sensation Jayden Daniels.
It was an incredible journey in Year 1 under head coach Dan Quinn. Peters is well-positioned to strengthen the roster further in the coming weeks. If he can acquire the right pieces and take advantage of the Commanders being an attractive football destination again, another bold playoff bid won't be too far behind.
The Commanders are projected to have $78.11 million in available salary-cap space entering the recruitment period with 44 players under contract. That's not a bad sum, but Peters could decide to increase this figure in pursuit of maximizing Daniels' rookie contract.
It's unlikely all of these will happen, but here are five moves that could save the Commanders around $63.5 million on their salary cap in 2025.
All financial projections come from Over the Cap.
Moves to save Commanders $63.5 million on 2025 salary cap
Commanders extend Terry McLaurin
- 2025 cap savings: $14.3 million
Terry McLaurin thrived this season. Nobody deserved a franchise-caliber presence under center more than the wide receiver, who stayed professional and put up outstanding numbers despite the constant stream of failed trades, free-agent signings, and draft picks at football's most important position.
McLaurin and Jayden Daniels hit it off immediately. The pass-catcher challenged his rookie quarterback and vice-versa. They were nothing short of phenomenal throughout the campaign, which resulted in the former third-round pick out of Ohio State securing Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors along the way.
The Washington Commanders should extend McLaurin at some stage this offseason. He's gone one more year on his deal but remains an integral part of the long-term plans. Getting him more help in the receiver room would be wise, but this seems like a sound investment for a cornerstone piece and one of the league's most prolific contested catch weapons.
McLaurin's influence off the field as a locker room alpha only lends further weight to his extension chances. Something that could also save the Commanders around $14.3 million on their salary cap in 2025 based on projections.
It's a no-brainer. And it's no more than the player deserves.
Commanders cut Andrew Wylie
- 2025 cap savings: $7.75 million
The Washington Commanders saw some improvements from the offensive line in 2024. When it came to stopping the elite defensive fronts around the league, they were often found wanting.
Washington's frailties in the trenches were exposed in no uncertain terms during their defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship game. With right guard Sam Cosmi set to miss most if not all of the 2025 campaign with a torn ACL, general manager Adam Peters needs to treat the protection in front of Jayden Daniels with the urgency it deserves.
This bears special significance on the edge. Left tackle Brandon Coleman did well but went through some rookie growing pains. He's got a productive career ahead of him, but that might be on the interior when it's all said and done.
Andrew Wylie occupied the right tackle spot and didn't give up a sack according to Pro Football Focus. However, the two-time Super Bowl winner struggled on an island and failed to make his presence felt on running plays effectively.
If the Commanders can find an upgrade this offseason, they should. Wylie is making too much money to be a backup, so releasing him with the $7.75 million in savings attached couldn't be completely dismissed.
Commanders restructure Daron Payne
- 2025 cap saving: $12.53 million
I went back and forth with this one.
Daron Payne's performances haven't been up to the required standard more often than not. He's got the physical tools to be dominant, but it's starting to look like his 2022 campaign where he achieved 11.5 sacks and made the Pro Bowl was an anomaly.
Payne's contract is pretty difficult to get off. Cutting him comes with $25.8 million in dead money. Trading him brings $16.8 million with $9.38 million in savings attached. That's not especially smart unless Adam Peters gets an offer they cannot refuse.
If the Commanders decide to retain Payne and find upgrades along the defensive trenches, a contract restructure enters the equation. Washington can afford to absorb his $26.17 million cap number with the resources available. But if Peters wants a little more and has enough confidence in the former first-round pick out of Alabama, tweaking his contract slightly wouldn't be the worst idea in the world.
It'll be interesting to see how the Commanders approach this delicate issue. A restructure saves Washington around $10.3 million based on projections to better spend elsewhere.
The Commanders need to fortify their defensive front this offseason. Payne should still be on the books from a financial commitment standpoint if nothing else. That won't be the case in 2026 if the same inconsistencies arrive.
Commanders trade/cut Jonathan Allen
- 2025 cap saving: $16.47 million
Then, there's Jonathan Allen.
The Washington Commanders have a complex conundrum on their hands with the veteran defensive tackle. His leadership in the locker room is unquestioned. However, his performance levels have regressed considerably over the last two seasons.
Allen's standout showing in Washington's divisional-round triumph at the Detroit Lions demonstrated his qualities. Maintaining this level consistently is the tricky part these days.
The Commanders will take into account Allen's importance and locker room influence. He's got one more year and no guaranteed money remaining on his deal. If Johnny Newton flourishes, Daron Payne gets a reprieve, and Washington acquires another productive interior force, the former first-round pick out of Alabama becomes expendable.
That gives Peters two choices in this scenario. The Commanders can examine trade possibilities for Allen. There might not be a robust market for the two-time Pro Bowler, but a couple of contending teams might throw a late-round pick to secure his services.
If the Commanders want to do right by Allen, they could release him and choose his next destination. Either way, Peters would have an extra $16.47 million to spend in free agency by trading or cutting one of the team's longest-serving players.
They might let things play out in the last year of Allen's deal. But it could go either way.
Commanders restructure Marshon Lattimore
- 2025 salary-cap saving: $12.55 million
Adam Peters' boldest move so far was acquiring stud cornerback Marshon Lattimore via trade from the New Orleans Saints. The general manager was methodical with his roster construction up to that point. Their early resurgence much sooner than expected saw the front-office leader get a little more aggressive.
It wasn't an easy situation for Lattimore. He came into the organization with a hamstring injury. This restricted him to two games during the regular season before it flared up again. The four-time Pro Bowler returned for the postseason, but he never looked truly healthy.
Although this was disappointing, Peters made his stance on Lattimore abundantly clear. They acquired him for the future as well as the present. The Commanders also expect him to return to his old form with a full offseason to learn the defense and, more importantly, get healthy in the coming months.
That is the smart path to take. Given Peters' supreme confidence in Lattimore and the fact he's got two years remaining on his deal, working out a contract restructure with the former first-round pick out of Ohio State seems like a realistic avenue to go down.
Lattimore is still getting paid either way. A restructuring is projected to save the Commanders $11.46 million on Washington's salary cap in 2025.
