Adam Peters has done a sensational job of reshaping the Washington Commanders' future. However, there is one signing that the general manager might have given up on too soon.
And it's something he could regret when it's all said and done.
Peters runs the Commanders with a ruthless roster-building mentality. The front-office leader disposed of Ron Rivera's high-end draft picks like old socks, which is a damning indictment of the previous regime's talent evaluation. He's also not afraid to let his signings walk if the production doesn't match the paycheck.
That proved to be the case with Jeremy Chinn. The standout safety enjoyed an outstanding first season with the Commanders in 2024, becoming an integral part of the team's defensive strategy and reigniting his career after his time with the Carolina Panthers had become stale. Unfortunately, his performance levels weren't enough for Peters to give him an extended stay.
Commanders could regret not re-signing Jeremy Chinn after standout season
Most fans thought Chinn would get re-signed. Most were hoping for it after the former second-round pick formed a dynamic backend tandem with Quan Martin. But for some reason, Peters thought he wasn't worth what the Las Vegas Raiders were willing to pay.
Chinn signed a two-year, $16.25 million deal that came with a $4 million signing bonus and $12.25 million guaranteed. Not exactly chump change, but it was easily affordable from the Commanders' perspective. Peters replaced the Southern Illinois product with Will Harris, who's a lot cheaper but doesn't have the same explosiveness.
Peters has earned plenty of trust from the fan base after turning the Commanders from basement dwellers to contenders quickly. If he thought Harris was a better option, the team's passionate support should let things play out. But it's not hard to see why this might be a downgrade when push comes to shove.
Chinn is younger with more proven production. The Raiders have been thrilled with their investment so far. If the same trend continues when competitive action commences and Harris fails to meet expectations, there will be regret for arguably the first time in Peters' tenure.
The Commanders' defensive improvements hold the key to their fortunes in 2025. Having Chinn on board would have been nice, but the stars (and the money) didn't align enough for Peters to get something worked out.
It'll be interesting to see if this decision pays off. But make no mistake, a lot is riding on it.
