Adam Peters has a significant amount on his plate during the 2026 offseason. It's going to be a tenure-defining few months for the Washington Commanders general manager, who has some critical decisions ahead to get this franchise trending on the correct path once again.
This season hasn't gone as anyone expected. Reaching the phenomenal heights of 2024 was always going to be difficult, but few envisaged such a steep drop-off in performance. It's become a brutal reality check, and Peters must react accordingly.
It's time to start building the right way. The Commanders need a sustainable model rather than gambling for short-term prosperity. There needs to be some consolidation, and even though Peters stood pat at the 2025 trade deadline, that doesn't mean he'll do the same when the time comes to mold a competitive roster next spring.
NFL analyst believes Commanders could trade Daron Payne this offseason
Brad Gagnon from The Bleacher Report thought defensive tackle Daron Payne could be a primary trade chip for Peters this offseason. This is likely dependent on 2024 second-round pick Johnny Newton's development, but the Commanders either need to pay the former Alabama standout or get something back in return.
"This is a tough one. Everywhere there's some intriguing depth (running back, the edge, the interior defensive front), they've got tons of pending free agents and/or injuries that cloud things. We'll go with [Daron] Payne because he'll be entering a contract year at 29 and his play has seemingly dropped off. Javon Kinlaw is under contract through 2027, 2024 second-round pick Jer'Zhan Newton has a lot of potential, and midseason pickup Sheldon Day has been a pleasant surprise."
Brad Gagnon
Payne is one of the team's longest-serving players. He's been playing pretty well this season, but paying him again could legitimately go either way right now. His lack of discipline against the Detroit Lions, which led to a one-game suspension, hasn't exactly helped his cause.
Much would obviously depend on the compensation involved and how the Commanders view Payne within their long-term plans for sustained growth. He hasn't played this well since 2022, which was incidentally when he was looking to get paid. That brings the potential regression factor into the equation, and it's worth remembering that the Commanders have only six selections in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Peters will leave nothing off the table. He'll probably listen to offers, but whether he gets enough to pull the trigger is another matter. It'll be interesting to see how the Commanders manage Payne's situation, which carries huge ramifications.