It was a LONG 2025 season, marred with injuries, inconsistent performances and a disappointing 5-12 record.
Dan Quinn set out to change the trajectory of the team by agreeing to mutually part ways with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and firing defensive coordinator Joe Whitt. Washington wasted little time promoting young up-and-comer David Blough to offensive coordinator. It took Quinn a bit longer to decide on a new defensive coordinator, finally landing on local product and Minnesota Vikings defensive backs coach and pass came coordinator Daronte Jones.
Both men are expected to bring a new look to both sides of the ball in 2026, and it will be Adam Peters’ job to get them the players they need to maximize their schemes this offseason via free agency and the draft.
Free agency is set to begin March 11th, with the legal tampering period kicking off March 9th. Below is a look at our new philosophies on offense and defense, Washington’s current team needs, projected cap space and players who could fit the Commanders’ new schemes.
Offensive Philosophy – David Blough
New offensive coordinator David Blough is expected to take some of Ben Johnson’s offense and blend it with a more traditional West Coast offense that we see from the coaches under the Shanahan tree. Expect lots of quarterback movement, much more play-action with tight end involvement and pre-snap motion.
- Rushing Attack: Outside Zone scheme
- Athletic offensive linemen who can get in space
- Running backs with good vision, speed and decisiveness – able to press the line of scrimmage and hit a crease quickly
- Passing Game: Horizontal route concepts married with play-action to attack the middle of the field and take downfield shots
- Deep field-stretcher to pull coverage off the underneath routes
- Savvy slot WR who can work the middle of the field
- Big, possession-type WR who can work the middle of the field in traffic
- Athletic TE who can work the seams and be a redzone threat
Defensive Philosophy – Daronte Jones
New defensive coordinator Daronte Jones was Brian Flores’ top lieutenant in Minnesota. He also coached under Vance Joseph and Mike Zimmer. He has experience in both even and odd fronts.
- Front seven: Aggressive, attacking front, looking to cause disruption and create chaos
- Quick-twitch, athletic EDGE with bend and length
- Fast, athletic, sideline-to-sideline, tone-setting linebackers who can tackle, cover and blitz
- Disguised blitzes and pressures
- Back end: Aggressive, scheme-versatile athletes taught to attack the ball both in the air and on the ground
- Will look to disrupt timing and rhythm of routes
- Three-safety looks with interchangeable deep safeties
- Heavy Cover 2, Cover 4, match-up zone and Cover 0
- Could see third safety as more of a hybrid/TE eraser
Adam Peters:
Commanders Team Needs
Top Needs:
- EDGE
- Safety
- Linebacker
- Wide Receiver
- Cornerback
- Tight end
Secondary Needs:
- Running Back
- Defensive Tackle
Commanders Cap Space
Projected $68M (based on $304 league cap)
ProjectedCuts:
- Marshon Lattimore ($18.5M savings)
- Nick Allegretti ($6M savings post June 1)
Projected Extension:
- Laremy Tunsil – 3yrs, $85M ($12M 2026 cap hit = $13M savings)
New projected cap space – $105.5M
Free Agent Targets
*Some of these players may be re-signed by their current teams
EDGE:
- Odafe Oweh (27) LAC
- Arnold Ebiketie (27) ATL
- Jaelan Phillips (27) PHI
- K’Lavon Chaisson (26) NE
- Boye Mafe (27) SEA
- Kwity Paye (27) INDY
Safety:
- Bryan Cook (26) KC
- Coby Bryant (26) SEA
- Jalen Thompson (27) ARI
- Nick Cross (24) INDY (hybrid)
- Jaquan Brisker (27) CHI (hybrid)
Linebacker:
- Quay Walker (26) GB
- Devin Lloyd (27) JAX
- Nakobe Dean (25) PHI
- Leo Chenal (25) KC
Wide Receiver:
- George Pickens (25) DAL
- Romeo Doubs (26) GB
- Alec Pierce (25) INDY
- Wan’Dale Robinson (25) NYG
Cornerback:
- Nahshon Wright (27) CHI
- Ric Woolen (27) SEA
- Jalen Watson (27) KC
- Alontae Taylor (27) NO
- Jeff Okudah (27) MIN
Tight End:
- Kyle Pitts (25) ATL
- Isaiah Likely (26) BAL
- Cade Otton (27) TB
- Chig Okonkwo (26) TEN
Running Back:
- Breece Hall (24) NYJ
- Kenneth Walker (27) SEA
- Travis Etienne (27) JAX
- Rachaad White (27) TB
- Javonte Williams (26) DAL
Defensive Tackle:
- Logan Hall (26) TB (hybrid)
Potential NFL Roster Cuts:
- Brandon Aiyuk (28) SF
- Rashan Gary (28) GB
- Kenny Clark (31) DAL
- Dawson Knox (29) BUF
Adam Peter will need to be extremely strategic this offseason. With just two picks in the top 100 of the draft, the emphasis will be on acquiring younger free agents to help turn this team around.