Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters
Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect
The NFL trade deadline is here, and the Washington Commanders are sitting at a crossroads at 2-5-1. Their season isn't over just yet in a weak NFC East, but it's on the brink.
It's hard to justify adding anyone at the deadline for a team that can't afford to sacrifice any more draft capital. But the Commanders have a franchise quarterback to develop, and they don't need to willingly make the situation around him any worse than it already is.
So, should Washington buy or sell?
Commanders general manager Adam Peters should stand pat at the 2026 trade deadline
How about neither?
Sometimes, the best thing to do is nothing at all. And where the Commanders are concerned, their hands are tied.
Unless they can take a flier on some backup offensive lineman or running back for a late-round pick, it's really their only choice.
As it stands, the Commanders have all seven of their original picks and no others for their hometown 2027 NFL Draft. After sacrificing selections for left tackle Laremy Tunsil, wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr., and cornerback Marshon Lattimore, it's the first time in three years they'll pick at least once per round.
General manager Adam Peters will want to keep it that way. But acquiring any additional picks would be a whole different problem.
The Commanders can still win the NFC East. If they beat the New York Giants on Thursday Night Football later this week, they'll be two games back of the division lead.
Selling assets on a threadbare Commanders roster would send the wrong message
It's an uphill climb, but there is no place in sports for giving up. And if the Commanders sell off assets at the deadline, the message it will send in the locker room will be simple.
They would be giving up on the 2026 season.
This year is all about the growth of quarterback Jayden Daniels, whose life is already difficult enough with a porous offensive line, ineffective run game, and injured receiving room. What happens if Washington trades wide receiver Stefon Diggs or right guard Sam Cosmi?
Those are possibly the only offensive players who would garner any significant value. And Washington needs them.
Meanwhile, on defense, things are quietly coming together under first-year coordinator Daronte Jones. Are you going to mess that up by trading cornerback Amik Robertson or edge rusher K'Lavon Chaisson?
The Commanders have nine more games to play. Four of the next six are against teams with losing records. They might win them, or they might not, and then make changes after the season when the time comes.
But they can't quit. Selling at the trade deadline is for quitters.