Updated look at Commanders’ current salary cap situation following an active free agency period
The Commanders were busy during the NFL free agency period, but their salary cap is in a better status than expected.
The Washington Commanders were one of the most active teams in free agency after an overhaul of the roster.
General manager Adam Peters took his swings and put together his most impressive offseason so far, with more work left to do. The Commanders spent a lot of money, but what’s the status of their salary cap as contract details have finally emerged? The results will actually shock you.
The Commanders were the biggest spenders this offseason
The Commanders were the most active team in free agency, and so far have spent the most money signing free agents and extending their own players. Peters has spent a league-high $314 million this offseason, and they still have plenty of moves they could make.
The Commanders’ biggest moves were signing EDGE Odafe Oweh to a four-year, $100 million contract and extending franchise left tackle Laremy Tunsil on a two-year, $60.2 million deal. The important part of those contracts, however, is how Peters structured them.
Oweh’s contract looks like a massive number, but he actually has a 2026 cap hit of just $9.2 million, which jumps to $27.2 million the following three years.
The same goes for Tunsil’s deal. You would think his cap hit is around $30 million per year, right? Not even close. Tunsil carries a 2026 cap hit of just $11.9 million, which goes up to $17.2 million in 2027. There’s an option for an out or an extension in 2028 if both sides want it, which is why his 2028 salary cap hit is so high at $42.2 million.
Peters put together a masterclass in free agency, but he does have many difficult decisions to make for 2027. Terry McLaurin has a team-high cap hit of $34 million in 2027, which is why it could be his final season. But for 2026, the salary cap is in a much better place, and people expect it to be after being the top spending team this offseason.
The Commanders’ current salary cap space after the first free agency wave
The Commanders structured their biggest free agent contract to leave room for the 2026 salary cap, but it’s even better than expected. Peters still has the Commanders sitting in the top three of salary cap space with $56.3 million, while the contract details of Jake Moody, Charles Omenihu, and Van Jefferson emerge, which shouldn’t change their position.
The door is wide open on signing someone like Jauan Jennings, but they still have plenty of money for their NFL Draft rookie class and practice squad players as well. We saw the Commanders roll over a ton of salary cap space after a conservative offseason last year, and they could roll over some this offseason as well if they don’t make any more notable moves.
Regardless, the Commanders have had a flawless offseason by bringing in top talent to secure the roster, while protecting their salary cap situation and not going into the hole like a lot of other teams do. The cap will only go up again next offseason, and these contracts will look even better.