Commanders’ unexpected answer at EDGE could be top salary cap cut candidate yet to hit free agent market
The Commanders could land one productive EDGE rusher in the NFC after cap casualty cuts continue around the NFL.
This is an important offseason for the Washington Commanders, and they have to get it right after a 5-12 season in 2025.
As we all know, free agency isn’t a guarantee by any means, and you’re not promised to land every player you want. The Commanders will have to look under every rock, including options that aren’t even available yet.
Every year, there are surprising salary cap casualties that lead to players being cut, and the Commanders’ next EDGE starter could be heading to the free agent market soon.
The Commanders could target EDGE Rashan Gary if he gets released
The Commanders ignored the EDGE position last offseason, and they can’t repeat that same mistake this year. Sure, there are some bigger names out there, like Trey Hendrickson, who will come at a hefty price, but it’s a very top-heavy pass rusher group in free agency. There’s a very notable falloff after Hendrickson, followed by some underrated younger rising players to watch.
Peters could decide to target a more proven pass rusher in Rashan Gary at just 28 years old if the Green Bay Packers decide to move on from him as a cut candidate, which looks like a strong possibility at least.
I asked A to Z Sports Green Bay writer Wendell Ferreira for more insight on Gary’s situation, and he shed light on the possibilities and why.
“Rashan Gary is set to make $19.5 million and has two years left on his contract. Based on his production after he signed a long-term extension back in 2023, it’s easy to see why the Packers could cut him. I would say that Gary’s release would be close to certain hadn’t Micah Parsons gotten injured. Now, because Parsons can miss around a month of games to start the regular season in 2026, the Packers may decide to keep Gary to play him opposite Lukas Van Ness.”
“But the money is significant, and his ability to finish plays has been underwhelming — even with Parsons opening up the defense on the other side. He had 54 pressures and 7.5 sacks in 2025, but all sacks came until Week 8, showing his regression down the stretch. That being said, Rashan Gary is still a useful player. While he makes mental mistakes setting the edge, he is a solid tackler and is powerful to implode the pocket — he’s just not a bender or quick-pressure player. If he takes a paycut, the Packers would probably be glad to keep him around. If he doesn’t, though, the release becomes a real possibility.” – Wendell Ferreira, A to Z Sports Green Bay
The Commanders should still have their cautions on Rashan Gary
You don’t release a great player just because they have a high salary cap hit for the upcoming season, but Gary does have his production doubts after last year. Gary didn’t have a single sack in the final nine games and just 28 pressures in that time. The drop in production is alarming and should be considered by the Commanders, even though he finished with eight sacks before Week 8.
2025 was Gary’s worst season as a pass rusher since 2022, despite still being a stout run defender, but hopefully those numbers can go back up with a new environment. The Commanders should still monitor the situation and check on Gary the second he hits the market if that’s the outcome of his offseason in Green Bay.
Washington Commanders News
Commanders’ next big offseason domino should be no-brainer decision urged by prior mistake
The Commanders have one clear contract extension to take care of before free agency with an All-Pro standout.
