Commanders will be heavily tested this offseason after latest free agency news regarding a key veteran
Adam Peters set the expectations for the offseason, but they might make an exception with one pending free agent.
The Washington Commanders are heading into a key free agency period in under two weeks, and they’ll have to make difficult decisions along the way.
They’ve already extended two of their own free agents in Tress Way and Andrew Wylie, and they still have 31 pending free agents. Some will be worth bringing back, while others need to walk and be replaced by upgrades.
The Commanders will face their toughest decision soon with a key veteran looking to play again in 2026, but will it be in Washington?
Free agent LB Bobby Wagner is looking to play in 2026
The Commanders have no choice but to bring back a select few free agents with how many they have heading into free agency. General manager Adam Peters will have to make some tough calls, but he already laid out the team’s plans this offseason. They want to get younger and faster, but at what cost?
They have many aging free agents who are looking to play again in 2026, and Peters will have to decide whether to stick to his word or make a tough exception. Future Hall of Famer LB Bobby Wagner is looking to continue his career, and now all eyes are on the Commanders.
Wagner had a stellar 2025 season when it comes to stopping the run and racking up tackles, but his 162 tackles weren’t enough to cover up his liability in coverage last season. He gave up three touchdowns in coverage, which is the most in a season by Wagner since 2019, and 551 yards to go with it. The Commanders still have a need at LB, but should that influence a return for Bobby Wagner?
Should the Commanders bring Bobby Wagner back in 2026?
The Commanders need to get younger and faster on defense, which is the opposite of Wagner, unfortunately. LB Frankie Luvu should be back to his peak form under new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones, and they have Jordan Magee as a solid young rotational piece.
Washington should be in the market for a top free agent LB like Devin Lloyd or Quay Walker, and move on from Wagner. Head coach Dan Quinn obviously loves Wagner, but he said at the NFL Scouting Combine that the team hasn’t made a decision yet, and they will need to in the coming weeks.
The best decision will be the toughest decision, and the Commanders need to respectfully move in another direction, like they already have this offseason. Quinn brought in a new defensive coordinator in Daronte Jones instead of another familiar face, and he has to do the same with the roster.
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