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Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels only played in 7 games in the 2025 NFL season.
Following the conclusion of Super Bowl LX, the NFL is officially moving on to next season. The Washington Commanders are looking to wipe away their 5-12 2025 campaign and reestablish themselves as a true contender in 2026. The Commanders are still only a season removed from an NFC Championship game appearance, and there is hope that they can restore the momentum they gained during head coach Dan Quinn, general manager Adam Peters, and quarterback Jayden Daniels inaugural season.
“Despite coming off a horrible season, the oddsmakers in Vegas believe the Commanders can somewhat contend again in 2026-27, with FanDuel giving them the 19th-best odds to win Super Bowl LXI at +4500”, Caleb Skinner of Bleacher Report writes.
The Commanders are not as far off as their record suggests. Injuries were a heavily limiting factor last season. Key players such as Jayden Daniels, Zach Ertz, Austin Ekeler, Marshon Lattimore, Trey Amos, and Dorance Armstrong all had season-ending injuries. While the team looks to get healthier in the offseason, they will also seek to get younger.
The Commanders Are Expected to Move Off Several Veteran Players
GettyThe Commanders had 25 players who were at least 29 years old on the roster in 2025, eight more than the next closest team.
The Commanders had the oldest roster by far coming into the 2025 season. Jimmy Kempski of PhillyVoice.com calculated that Washington’s 53-man roster averaged players 28.1 years old.
According to Yahoo Sports, “Kempski has been tracking the average ages of all NFL initial 53-man rosters since 2012, and the Commanders are the first team ever to have an average age over 28. The previous oldest teams were the 2023 Saints and 2018 Raiders, who both had an average age of 27.4.”
Many of those older players will become unrestricted free agents this offseason. Von Miller, Bobby Wagner, Zach Ertz, Deebo Samuel, and Austin Ekeler are all players over 30 who the team could let walk. On the flip side, the Commanders will have the fifth-most cap space in 2026. With over $76 Million to work with, the team is expected to be active in their pursuit of young game-changing player-makers on both sides of the ball.
Several Names Listed as ‘Top Fits’ For Commanders in Free Agency
GettyLinebacker Devin Lloyd recorded 81 total tackles, five interceptions, seven passes defensed, a sack and a half, and a touchdown in 2025.
The Commanders have been listed as a favorite to land several key free agents. On the defensive side of the ball, linebacker Devin Lloyd is a popular name to watch. B/R’s Kristopher Knox listed Devin Lloyd at number seven on Bleacher Report’s 2026 NFL Free Agency Big Board, ranking projected free agents. Lloyd would be an optimal choice to slot into the middle of new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones’ scheme. Lloyd has a nose for the football and superb coverage skills after recording five interceptions in 2025 while allowing an opposing passer rating of 56.4.
On the offensive side, the Commanders were listed as a top landing spot for wide receiver Alec Pierce, according to Zachary Pereles of CBS Sports. Pierce led the NFL with an average of 21.3 yards per catch last season and would add a dominant vertical threat to Washington’s passing attack.
Several other notable free-agent players could be in play for the Commanders as they are expected to be one of the most active teams this offseason.
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