On Tuesday, Commanders’ Wire asked if the Commanders are working to re-sign guard Chris Paul.

Today, we ask, are the Commanders planning on bringing back defensive end Deatrich Wise?

There are most likely two ways to answer this question if you were Commanders GM Adam Peters. First, there is no way Peters is bringing back Wise, expecting and paying Wise to be a starting defensive end. The Commanders need more quickness, more fast-twitch rushers this next year, desperately.

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Desperately, because the Commanders surrendered more yards than any team in the NFL in 2025. Their defense ranked No. 31 (next-to-last) in net yards per passing play. The Colts and Commanders tied for giving up the most first downs via the pass (216) in the season. The Commanders’ pass rush was next to last, No. 31 in producing quarterback hurries.

They need pass-rushing defensive ends. Jacob Martin led the team with 18 QB hits in 2025. So, when looking at the Commanders’ defensive ends, it’s highly likely that Peters could choose to not bring back Von Miller (36), Preston Smith (33), Jalyn Holmes (29), DeMarcus Walker (31), and Wise (31).

Martin (30), Dorance Armstrong (28), Javontae-Jean Baptiste (25), Drake Jackson (24) are likely to return. Martin is a free agent, but Washington would like to retain him. Then you figure Peters will want to sign a veteran and draft a rookie, also at defensive end. Also, TJ Maguranyanga has had very few opportunities because, though 23, he weighs only 225. So, they may be ready to move on from the International project.

Wise went down on a nasty quad injury in Week 2 at Green Bay. He was lost for the season, and it was a large loss, as he was expected to be a big help sealing the edge against the run. They are not going to bring back Wise to start; yet they might be willing to bring him back as a depth piece at end.

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Our verdict? If Wise is agreeable to being paid as a backup, Peters will re-sign Wise to an economical one-year deal.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Will DE Deatrich Wise be retained?