The Washington Commanders went into free agency knowing they needed to improve their pass rush in 2026. The same was true one year ago, and despite trying, Washington largely struck out on adding an impact pass-rusher, aside from signing 36-year-old Von Miller just before training camp.

That’s not a knock on Miller, a future Hall of Famer and one of the all-time greats, but the Commanders signed him to be a third-down pass rusher and play limited snaps. Due to injuries, Miller had to play more, and he played well, leading the team with nine sacks. But there was no way that general manager Adam Peters was going into another offseason without significantly addressing the edge rusher position.

Advertisement

So, it was no surprise that the Commanders landed one of the top players in free agency: Chargers EDGE Odafe Oweh. Washington and Oweh agreed to a four-year, $96 million deal. Peters wasn’t done, signing K’Lavon Chaisson and Charles Omenihu.

Both players signed one-year deals, but Peters, at the NFL’s annual league meetings, appeared particularly surprised he was able to land Chaisson.

“Really excited about the guys we brought in, the guys we have, and so certainly, a point of emphasis to get there and get Oweh, and to get KC, and we still have the guys that we have in the building,” Peters said. “Just really, that was something we needed to address, and we did. It’s actually, like, pretty surprised we were able to get both of those guys and especially thought K’Lavon would be a little more.”

Peters then talked more about Chaisson.

Advertisement

“Because we were patient on some things, we were able to kind of sit back and wait and let some things come to us, and I think you know he’s going to be motivated because he’s still really young. He’s still really, you know, he’s still ascending, so I think he’s got one year to prove it, and I think he’s going to do really well.”

Peters also praised Oweh, also calling him an ascending talent.

As for Chaisson, Washington signed him to a one-year deal worth up to $12 million. Chaisson, a former first-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars, struggled for four seasons before landing with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2024. Chaisson showed promise in a part-time role, earning a one-year deal from the New England Patriots last offseason. He was even better for the Patriots, recording 31 tackles, including 10 for loss, 7.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles.

Chaisson was dominant in the playoffs, finishing with three sacks, four tackles for loss, a forced fumble and 10 quarterback hits.

Advertisement

Even better for Washington, Chaisson is also a solid run defender.

The Commanders are betting big on Oweh and Chaisson to solve their pass-rush problems in 2026. Even better, Washington will also get Dorance Armstrong back from injury. Armstrong was having a career year in 2025 before tearing his ACL in Week 7.

Peters needed to fix the pass rush, and he did it before the 2026 NFL Draft. Even better, these signings do not prevent Washington from taking the best-available pass rusher if that’s the top player on the board. Only Oweh is signed beyond 2026.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Peters sees big things for K’Lavon Chaisson