Commanders GM Adam Peters sees a big year for one free-agent signing

The Washington Commanders went into free agency knowing they needed to improve their pass rush in 2026. The same was true one year ago, and despite trying, Washington largely struck out on adding an impact pass-rusher, aside from signing 36-year-old Von Miller just before training camp. That's not a knock on Miller, a future Hall of Famer and one of the all-time greats, but the Commanders signed him to be a third-down pass rusher and play limited snaps.

Due to injuries, Miller had to play more, and he played well, leading the team with nine sacks. But there was no way that general manager Adam Peters was going into another offseason without significantly addressing the edge rusher position. So, it was no surprise that the Commanders landed one of the top players in free agency: Chargers EDGE Odafe Oweh.

Washington and Oweh agreed to a four-year, $96 million deal. Peters wasn't done, signing K'Lavon Chaisson and Charles Omenihu. Both players signed one-year deals, but Peters, at the NFL's annual league meetings, appeared particularly surprised he was able to land Chaisson.

"Really excited about the guys we brought in, the guys we have, and so certainly, a point of emphasis to get there and get Oweh, and to get KC, and we still have the guys that we have in the building," Peters said. "Just really, that was something we needed to address, and we did. It's actually, like, pretty surprised we were able to get both of those guys and especially thought K'Lavon would be a little more.