The Washington Commanders have their work cut out for them this offseason. They need to get younger across the roster, plug some holes, and add some impact players on defense. But the team’s current landscape doesn’t necessarily require a full rebuild.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler recently discussed the rebuild status of every NFL team that did not make the playoffs. They were tiered in groups: No need to panic, A few moves away, Sneaky good trajectory, Somewhere between contention and reset, In the middle of a rebuild, and Full-blown overhaul.

Advertisement

So, where did the Commanders land? They were the only team in the category of ‘Somewhere between contention and reset.’

2026 cap space: $51.2 millionTop free agent: Deebo SamuelProjected 2026 draft picks: 6

The hope for a quick turnaround: Washington is a year removed from competing in the NFC title game. When healthy, Jayden Daniels is a top-10 quarterback who will move the offense into a more respectable range in 2026. GM Adam Peters has cap space to replenish the roster. Injuries plagued Washington more than most teams last season.

Why it might take longer than hoped: Washington was the hardest team of the bunch to evaluate, so it gets its own category. The Commanders were close in 2024. The roster is problematic in spots, though. Defensive impact players are older. Pass rush is a major need. And some recent high draft picks have been slow to develop. Peters has just two draft picks in the first four rounds this year because of previous trades. Adding a skill player at tight end or running back would be useful.

The Commanders are so quirky that they got their own category. Assessing their 2025 season is very difficult because of the slew of injuries, and because a lot of those injuries hit impact players who were needed on the field. Which is why Peters has to address the depth of his skill players during the offseason, plus add the defensive help the team needs.

If Peters plays his cards right, the Commanders could be a contender again in 2026. But it will totally depend on the players he decides to bring in, and if he doesn’t do well enough, he could find himself on the hot seat at the end of the 2026 season.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Contention, reset, both?