Feb. 20, 2026, 2:30 a.m. ET<\/p>\n
The Washington Commanders<\/a> are expected to be very active when free agency begins next month. The Commanders<\/a> need a lot of help, specifically on a defense that was among the NFL’s worst in several categories in 2025. Washington has a new defensive coordinator, Daronte Jones, who comes to the Commanders from the Minnesota Vikings<\/a>, where he worked under Brian Flores for the past three seasons.<\/p>\n The Commanders could use starters at every level of their defense. For now, no one knows what scheme Jones will run. Jones doesn’t think that’s important: “It’s not how they line up, it’s how they wind up,” he said when asked about the scheme at his introductory press conference.<\/p>\n Regardless of scheme, Washington needs pass rushers. It’s a good year to need pass-rush help, as it’s expected to be a solid free-agent class. Other productive pass rushers could be cut, too, giving the Commanders more potential options.<\/p>\n You could add Green Bay Packers<\/a> EDGE Rashan Gary to that list. He’s due to count $28 million against Green Bay’s salary cap in 2026. That’s a lot for someone who has never recorded 10 sacks in a season. Gary is consistent, though, recording 7.5 sacks in each of the last two seasons, and has 46.5 in his seven-year NFL career.<\/p>\n The 6-foot-5, 277-pound Gary would also give Washington size on the edge. He is a solid pass rusher and plus run defender. According to Pro Football Focus<\/a>, Gary had a 71.8 run defense grade in 2025. His pass-rush grade was 68.2. So, while the Packers may think that’s a lot of money for less-than-elite production, the Commanders could get Gary at a lower number and would be thrilled with that output.<\/p>\n