{"id":851587,"date":"2026-04-03T16:59:19","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T16:59:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/851587\/"},"modified":"2026-04-03T16:59:19","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T16:59:19","slug":"nfl-execs-react-to-commanders-57m-talent-differential","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/851587\/","title":{"rendered":"NFL Execs React to Commanders $57M Talent Differential"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\t\t\t\t<img width=\"780\" height=\"394\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Adam-Peters-e1775222519862.jpg\" class=\"attachment-featured-image size-featured-image wp-post-image\" alt=\"Adam Peters\"   decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\"\/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters. <\/p>\n<p><a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/nfl\/washington-commanders\/\" title=\"Washington Commanders\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"213507\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Washington Commanders<\/a> general manager Adam Peters looked at the roster at the start of the offseason and saw the holes. Subsequently, he methodically filled the needs at all levels, in different positions on both sides of the ball. However, an anonymous NFL executive appeared lukewarm on the roster approach in quotes to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/7167213\/2026\/04\/03\/nfl-free-agency-2026-nfc-execs-best-worst\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external nofollow\">The Athletic<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey filled them with a league-high seven newcomers earning at least $6.5 million per year.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Peters signed players according to the expanding salary cap. For example, in 2015, the league salary cap was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.profootballnetwork.com\/nfl-salary-cap-history\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external nofollow\">$143,280,000<\/a>. This season, the cap sits at $301.2 million. As a result, the Commanders adjusted to the times. They paid the equivalent of market value.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou kind of get what you pay for with those $6 million-$8 million guys,\u201d an exec said. \u201cThey are fringe starters. It makes some sense. You gotta fill out your roster. They had to get younger.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/nfl\/washington-commanders\/commanders-free-agency-draft-impact-2026\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external nofollow\">K\u2019Lavon Chiasson<\/a> enjoyed a three-sack postseason, including one in the Super Bowl. <a href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/nfl\/washington-commanders\/washington-commanders-leo-chenal-scheme\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external nofollow\">Leo Chenal<\/a> was the one player that Andy Reid wanted to keep. He played out of position in the Super Bowl, setting the edge for the Kansas City Chiefs as they defeated the <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/nfl\/san-francisco-49ers\/\" title=\"San Francisco 49ers\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"213506\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">San Francisco 49ers<\/a>. On top of that, Chig Okonkwo thrived in a run-heavy offense with a rookie quarterback and a lack of outside receiving threats.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/nfl\/washington-commanders\/commanders-fred-smoot-organized-chaos\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external nofollow\">Odafe Oweh<\/a> improved after leaving Baltimore, placed on a team that emphasized his abilities to get after the quarterback. New defensive coordinator Daronte Jones wants to do the exact same thing. As a protege of Brian Flores, Jones wants to attack offenses and not wait for the opponent to dictate.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">What does edge rusher Odafe Oweh bring to the Washington Commanders?<\/p>\n<p>-Freakish athleticism<br \/>-Understanding of rush plan and setting up moves<br \/>-Coverage ability<\/p>\n<p>Full breakdown: <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/c4S3K8y8QY\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/t.co\/c4S3K8y8QY<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/TvbIjKghGE\" rel=\"nofollow\">pic.twitter.com\/TvbIjKghGE<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MarkBullockNFL\/status\/2031324487635862003?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">March 10, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Is Oweh More than a Situational Piece?<\/p>\n<p>The anonymous executive continues to discuss Oweh. Additionally, the comment seems to question his role.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThose are rotational pieces,\u201d an exec said. \u201cOweh is more of a DPR (designated pass rusher) than an every-down guy, a little hit and miss. But they needed some speed on defense.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pff.com\/nfl\/grades\/position\/ed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external nofollow\">Oweh ranked No. 15<\/a> in Pro Football Focus\u2019 top pass-rushing edge defenders. Even still, his run-stopping claimed the No. 53 spot. Under those circumstances, why not play him on non-passing downs? Limiting him as a defensive pass rusher would not help the Commanders. Jones wants his front active against both the pass and the run.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Leading off \u201cMy Guys, FA 2026\u201d<\/p>\n<p>EDGE Odafe Oweh<br \/>6-5, 251 \u2022 6th year<\/p>\n<p>Last 7 Games, 2025:<\/p>\n<p>\u202230 QB pressures<br \/>\u20226.5 QB sacks<br \/>\u202222.5% pressure rate<br \/>\u20222 forced fumbles<\/p>\n<p>Oweh has 16 sacks over his last 25 games. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/997TheFox?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">@997TheFox<\/a> \u2022 <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/KeepPounding?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">#KeepPounding<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Rfzyhp49Jk\" rel=\"nofollow\">pic.twitter.com\/Rfzyhp49Jk<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 John Ellis (@1PantherPlace) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/1PantherPlace\/status\/2030859586886885561?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">March 9, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Settle Signing Pleases Doubters<\/p>\n<p>Tim Settle returns to Washington after stints in Buffalo and Houston. An anonymous general manager praised the Commanders.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOne under-the-radar signing to watch: defensive lineman Tim Settle, who spent his first four seasons in D.C. after Washington drafted him in 2018.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSettle was Houston\u2019s best run defender, the interior guy who knocks people back,\u201d one exec said. \u201cI would have loved to have had him. He\u2019s a Virginia Tech kid, from Virginia, so that was what it was.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Settle brings a blend of pass-rush and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pff.com\/nfl\/grades\/position\/di\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external nofollow\">strong run-stuffing<\/a>. The Commander will run a 3-4 defense or a base that deploys three defensive linemen. Jer\u2019Zhan Newton and Daron Payne are the set starters. Settle could slide into the third spot.<\/p>\n<p>Whether an anonymous executive likes the moves or not, the Commanders <a href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/nfl\/washington-commanders\/washington-commanders-cap-space-spending-plan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external nofollow\">spent $80.1 million<\/a> in free agency. Peters staked his job and the franchise\u2019s immediate future on these moves.<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/author\/terrancebiggs\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Terrance Biggs<\/a> Terrance started at heavy.com in January 2026&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<br \/>\nHe is a veteran sportswriter with 12 years of experience, covering NFL, College, and MLB. Terrance has held positions at Sports Illustrated and Pro Football Sports Network. A graduate of Fort Hays State University with a bachelor&#8217;s in Communication, he is also a voting member of the Football Writers Association of America, United States Basketball Writers Association and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.  <a href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/author\/terrancebiggs\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">More about Terrance Biggs<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Commanders\n\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\t\tLoading more stories\n\t\t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Getty Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters. Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters looked at the roster at&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":851588,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[2069],"tags":[427,7,6,855,111,2480],"class_list":{"0":"post-851587","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-washington-commanders","8":"tag-commanders","9":"tag-football","10":"tag-nfl","11":"tag-washington","12":"tag-washington-commanders","13":"tag-washingtoncommanders"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/116341846013520140","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/851587","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=851587"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/851587\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/851588"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=851587"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=851587"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=851587"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}