The team made a memorable run to the NFC Championship game in 2024 and had a bounty of financial resources available to strengthen the ranks further. Fans were anticipating some big moves in pursuit of going one better next time around.
Peters didn’t spend for the sake of it. Once again, he was methodical in his roster construction, signing veterans to one-year deals and extending the large majority of free agents who made a decent contribution last season. This quickly became a recipe for success last year, so it was no surprise to see the front-office leader adopt a similar approach.
That’s not to say Peters wasn’t aggressive. The Commanders pulled off two daring trades and shelled out big money for Jonathan Allen’s replacement on the defensive front. This was another example of Washington striking with conviction with the team’s Super Bowl window open.
It’s probably quicker than Peters anticipated, but the former San Francisco 49ers executive deserves credit for altering his ethos slightly to capitalize on quarterback Jayden Daniels’ rookie contract.
The Commanders are in a better place right now, even if it wasn’t good news for everybody.
With this in mind, here are three winners and two losers from the Commanders’ first wave of free agency in 2025.
Winners and losers from the first wave of Commanders 2025 free agency
Javon Kinlaw – Commanders DT
The Washington Commanders released veteran defensive tackle Jonathan Allen after no willing trade partner came forward.
He wasn’t out of work for long, penning a two-year, $60 million deal with the Minnesota Vikings to bolster their 3-4 defensive front under Brian Flores.
Washington also acted swiftly to find his replacement, albeit with one of the most eyebrow-raising moves of the offseason so far. The Commanders signed Javon Kinlaw to a three-year, $45 million deal with $30 million guaranteed.
This was instantly deemed a massive overpay by fans and analysts alike, but Adam Peters has a genuine belief he can help alongside Daron Payne and Johnny Newton on the interior.
Kinlaw’s career hasn’t gone according to plan as yet. His time with the San Francisco 49ers fizzled out and he wasn’t much better with the New York Jets in 2024.
Most anticipated he’d get a one-year, prove-it deal somewhere, but the Commanders provided the former first-round pick with long-term financial security.
Peters knows Kinlaw well from their time together in San Francisco.
There is trust attached to his decision-making process, but the money alone makes the South Carolina product a huge winner in free agency considering what was initially projected.
