Feb. 21, 2026, 7:03 a.m. ET
Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters needs to sign five defensive starters, a receiver starter and a starting tight end.
Listening to either the Team 980 or 106.7 The Fan in Washington, D.C., it’s not unusual to hear fans saying such things. Twitter (X)? It’s even worse, where so many reveal they actually think they could be the Commanders‘ GM, by the way they criticize and state what Peters “needs” to do in free agency. As if Peters is not competing against 31 other general managers, too.
Folks, if it were that simple a job, why are there general managers who are fired after every NFL season? Logan Paulsen, former NFL tight end, including with the Washington Redskins (2010-14), was a guest on the “BMitch & Finlay” show Friday. He had a take on this year’s free agent class that Commanders fans might not be pleased to hear. Yet, given his experience as an analyst and former player, perhaps we should slow down on how easy it is for Adam Peters to sign several who will start in Washington and be better than the players they replace.
“The thing about this free agent class, when I look at it, I’m not seeing a lot guys who have historically popped,” expressed Paulsen. “Like guys that have really been dynamic players, down the field. Guys who can carry an offense, guys that could offset some of the production. And I felt the same way when they brought Olamide Zaccheaus in, from, I think he was in Atlanta at the time. And I played with OZ in Atlanta. I knew he was a good football player. I just didn’t think he was going to have the year (he did) when he got here.”
Indeed, Zaccheaus surprised analysts, local media and the fan base with his 2024 season as a Commander, catching 45 passes, averaging 11.2 per reception. This past season with the Bears, OZ had 39 receptions, averaging only 8.0 per reception.
Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.
It is not surprising that an analyst with the football IQ of Pausen is not too excited about this free agent class. Some readers will recall that Commanders Wire recently explained that, with large salary cap increases, more teams are choosing to re-sign their own players.
Therefore, fewer big-hit free agents have been available the last couple of seasons. Paulsen seems to be echoing this in his evaluation of this year’s free agent class. Plus, keep in mind that some players will still re-sign with their teams just before free agency begins in March.
Yes, Peters is going to sign many players, but it may be harder than we realize to obtain as many productive players that this Commanders defense really needs to be successful in 2026.