Washington Commanders Preview
The Washington Commanders are in a favorable financial position, boasting substantial salary cap space to enhance their roster. The NFL has set the 2025 salary cap at $279.2 million, a 9.3% increase from the previous year. This adjustment gives the Commanders an estimated $82.2 million in available cap space, ranking them third in the league.
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Current Salary Cap Allocation
The Commanders have allocated approximately $215.3 million to player salaries for the 2025 season, leaving them with about $64.2 million in cap space. This includes taking on Deebo Samuel’s deal after the recent trade.
With this cap space, the Commanders are well-positioned to be active in the upcoming free agency period. Potential targets include bolstering their linebacker corps, and the offensive line. Additionally, the team holds the 29th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, providing an opportunity to add young talent to the roster. The current Washington Commanders odds to win the NFC rank 4th highest at +850. They are also 9th to win Super Bowl LX.
Jayden Daniels and the Commanders: Building on a Historic Rookie Season
Jayden Daniels delivered one of the most impressive rookie campaigns in NFL history, not only leading the Washington Commanders to their first NFC Championship appearance since the 1991 season but also rewriting the record books. With an astounding 5,416 total yards and 37 total touchdowns, Daniels provided Washington with something it had lacked for decades—a true franchise quarterback.
His next challenge? Sustaining and elevating that level of play in his second season. Throughout 2024, Daniels remained focused on the present, never taking time to reflect on his achievements. Now, with an offseason ahead of him, it’s the perfect opportunity to analyze areas for improvement and set new goals.
Areas for Growth in Year Two
Daniels set a high bar in his rookie season, displaying remarkable poise, accuracy, and decision-making—traits rarely seen in a first-year quarterback. His calm demeanor helped Washington secure its first winning record since 2016 and claim playoff victories over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions.
While his mobility is a key strength, one area for refinement is his willingness to stay in the pocket and trust his arm more often. Daniels was highly effective when throwing from the pocket, but he also logged the second-most rushing attempts among quarterbacks. Washington doesn’t want to diminish his ability to make plays with his legs—several victories last season were a direct result of his mobility—but there were moments when extending a play in the pocket could have led to more explosive downfield opportunities.
Draft Challenges and Roster Decisions
The Commanders struck gold with the No. 2 overall pick in 2024, selecting Daniels as their franchise cornerstone. However, their approach to the 2025 draft will be vastly different. Holding the 29th overall pick, Washington will have to navigate a new set of challenges. Unlike last year, when they had multiple high-value selections, they’ll now watch as many top prospects come off the board before they’re on the clock.
Despite picking later in the first round, the Commanders still have plenty of options. They could add another playmaker at wide receiver, a move ESPN analyst Field Yates predicted in his latest mock draft. Alternatively, they might focus on strengthening the defense by drafting an edge rusher, a position with significant depth in this year’s class. Another possibility is trading back to acquire additional Day 2 and Day 3 picks, helping replenish a draft capital shortage—Washington currently holds selections in the second and third rounds but none in the fourth.
Looking Ahead
With a promising young quarterback and financial flexibility, Washington is in an excellent position to build for the future. The key will be surrounding Daniels with the right pieces while maintaining balance on both sides of the ball. His rookie year set a new standard for the franchise, and now the challenge is to take the next step toward sustained success.
NFL Offseason News & Notes
The Las Vegas Raiders have signed defensive end Maxx Crosby to a three-year, $106.5 million extension, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. The deal includes $91.5 million guaranteed. Crosby emphasized his focus on winning and leadership despite the financial aspects of the contract.
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard has announced his retirement at the age of 29. Over his career, Hubbard recorded 398 tackles and 38.5 sacks, all with the Bengals. He also founded the Sam Hubbard Foundation, promoting equitable access to food, education, and healthy living in Cincinnati.
The Kansas City Chiefs are set to trade guard Joe Thuney to the Chicago Bears. Thuney, a four-time Super Bowl champion, will now protect quarterback Caleb Williams, who faced a league-high 68 sacks last season. The Chiefs will receive a fourth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft in exchange.
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Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has confirmed he will return for his 13th NFL season. Despite a devastating Super Bowl defeat, Kelce expressed his love for football and desire to prove himself after feeling he let the team down last season.
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Quarterback Prospects: As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, Miami’s Cam Ward leads the quarterback prospects. NFL insider Peter Schrager noted that while Ward has a high ceiling, he’s not seen in the same league as the top three quarterbacks from the previous draft. Shedeur Sanders, son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, is viewed as a closer competitor to Ole Miss’s Jaxson Dart than to Ward.
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AFC West Rivals in Free Agency: The Kansas City Chiefs are unlikely to play any NFL games in Germany for the 2025 or 2026 seasons due to scheduling and home game revenue considerations. In the 2025 NFL Draft, the Chiefs are projected to select either Nic Scourton, an edge rusher from Texas A&M, or Josh Simmons, an offensive tackle from Ohio State, addressing key team needs.
Other NFL updates include the Chiefs reportedly interested in acquiring wide receiver D.K. Metcalf, who is competing with the Buffalo Bills for his services. However, the Seattle Seahawks have yet to commit to trading him.
