Jan. 30, 2026, 6:16 a.m. ET
The Washington Commanders have quite the list of impending free agents in 2026, largely thanks to Adam Peters’ veteran contract signings that boosted the team in 2024. He attempted a similar feat in 2025, but the pieces he brought in weren’t as effective as anyone hoped.
Injuries were a major problem for the Commanders in 2025, though, which complicates things. Another complicated decision: what to do with Deebo Samuel’s contract. He is set to become a free agent, and ESPN’s John Keim believes the Commanders have a big decision regarding Samuel.
Washington traded a fifth-round pick to obtain Samuel last offseason, and he responded with a team-high 72 catches — the second most in his career — for 727 yards and five touchdowns. He was not a big factor in the run game (only 17 attempts) partly due to the Commanders needing him more at receiver with other starters injured. The Commanders need another true receiver, one with downfield speed, opposite Terry McLaurin, but Samuel could still help as a versatile chess piece. The question is cost: Samuel made $17.5 million last season, but that’s a steep price to pay for someone who just turned 30 and isn’t the primary receiver.
Samuel was one of the bright spots for the Commanders this season, but the price has to make sense, too. There’s no way they can justify paying him the same amount, but Samuel has to consider that other teams won’t be interested in paying him that much either. He will have a choice to make when Washington approaches him with a new deal, and it wouldn’t be overly surprising to see him test out the market.
If the Commanders can keep him, though, and Jayden Daniels can stay healthy, their offense might get back on track in 2026.
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