Odafe Oweh
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The Washington Commanders have received a major warning about $100 million edge-rusher Odafe Oweh.
The Washington Commanders are paying a small fortune to Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson to boost the pass rush for a new-look defense in 2026, but many around the NFL have warned the team about a major problem with two if its most high-profile acquisitions in free agency.
It’s a warning gleaned from an unnamed executive who told Mike Sando of The Athletic, “Those are rotational pieces,” an exec said. “Oweh 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.”
That note of warning is most ominous about Oweh, who is scheduled to set the Commanders back a cool $100 million over the next four years. General manager Adam Peters has already been blamed for overpaying for a pass-rusher who’s posted just two seasons with double-digit sacks during his pro career.
A lack of consistent top-tier production is also a mark against Chaisson, who cashed in after a breakout year with the New England Patriots. It’s another example of the Commanders paying a premium for an edge disruptor they hope is on an upward trajectory, not a player who simply upped his game during a contract year.
Commanders Gambling Big on Odafe Oweh
Peters and head coach Dan Quinn have gambled big about who represents the true version of Oweh. The pressure specialist who logged 7.5 sacks in 12 games after being traded to the Los Angeles Chargers last October, then added three more quarterback takedowns in the playoffs.
Getting that version of Oweh is the best-case scenario for the Commanders. The burly rush end who shoved 6-foot-8, 365-pound All-Pro left tackle Jordan Mailata back into Jalen Hurts, then chased down the mobile signal-caller for the sack against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 14.
This was a prime example of what Oweh is capable of when rushing at full speed and with the necessary intensity. He can be physically imposing and is also a skilled technician with his hands, a talent evidenced by this “cross chop/club” move highlighted by Aaron Day of DLineVids.
Oweh put enough on film with the Chargers to make it look like the Commanders invested heavily to secure a nuanced pocket-collapsing force on the cusp of hitting his peak. The problem is Oweh only landed with the Bolts because he’d failed to make the most of multiple breakout predictions with the Baltimore Ravens.
If 2025 was another false dawn in Oweh’s career, the Commanders will be committed to handing multiple big paydays to a former first-round draft pick who can’t make the grade. A similar problem exists with Chaisson, but he’s only on a one-year deal, although the 26-year-old can prove a steal if new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones’ plan works.
Daronte Jones’ Plan Needs to Work for Pricey Edge-Rushers
Put simply, the Jones plan will be to manufacture as many one-on-one pass rush opportunities as possible for Oweh and Co. Creating favorable matchups for the primary edge playmakers is the ambition of any defensive coordinator, but Jones has more incentive for Oweh and Chaisson to succeed.
They are the keys to making the 3-4 style, pressure-laden system Jones learned from Brian Flores with the Minnesota Vikings work. The schemes are based on moving versatile pass-rushers around to disguise pressure and coverage.
Oweh, Chaisson and fellow new recruit Charles Omenihu fit the prototype for the Jones playbook. Yet, the Commanders still need the X’s and O’s to make a significant contribution to helping Oweh and the rest produce enough stats and splash plays to justify the money spent this offseason.