Commanders solidify key depth with contract extensions before bringing in new talent during NFL free agency period
The Commanders extend two key depth players on defense before adding new starters during free agency and the NFL Draft.
The Washington Commanders are poised to be active during free agency next week, but they had to adjust their own roster before adding to it.
We’ve already seen notable moves, like releasing Marshon Lattimore and Tyler Biadasz, to help free up more salary cap space and prepare for upgrades. General manager Adam Peters also extended multiple players on the offensive line, such as Andrew Wylie and Nick Allegretti, to help strengthen depth and give the Commanders options.
You never know how free agency or the NFL Draft will play out, so it’s best to prepare for everything, and that’s what the Commanders did after extending two key depth players.
Commanders extend Deatrich Wise and Shy Tuttle
The Commanders had the most free agents heading into the offseason, so they had to bring back players they could lean on in 2026. The defense will look much different next season, but it will have two familiar faces back after the Commanders extended both Deatrich Wise and Shy Tuttle, stopping them from hitting the free agency market next week.
The Commanders still have plenty of salary cap space to spend next week and a more stable roster heading into the offseason with a veteran presence that won’t stop them from making more additions.
Why the Commanders are bringing Deatrich Wise and Shy Tuttle back
Wise was a solid free agency signing last offseason, and he was playing well before suffering a season-ending injury in Week 2 against the Green Bay Packers. Bringing him back was key because the Commanders only had two EDGE players under contract, and Dorance Armstrong had a serious knee injury as well. Wise could play inside more under Daronte Jones’ new defensive scheme at 6-5, 280 pounds.
Tuttle was a late addition to the team, and he played in just 177 snaps, but they clearly think he’s a fit in the new scheme as well. The Commanders only have four defensive tackles on the roster still, with Eddie Goldman and Sheldon Day as free agents.
There’s no doubt the Commanders will continue to add to the defensive line, but they also need bodies back with the majority of the line as free agents this offseason. If they miss on certain targets, they’ll already have backups and not look to older veterans to bring in after the NFL Draft again.
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