Commanders get younger, faster — and more Terps — in opening wave of free agency
Eight agreements in three days highlight Adam Peters’ offseason priority — adding speed and upside across the roster.
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The use of “old” in NFL terms is synonymous with slow. The Washington Commanders were the league’s most senior team in 2025 and lacked speed on both sides of the ball.
Three days of the 2026 free agency period have already begun to change those descriptors.
The Commanders added three players on Wednesday during the final hours of the legal tampering period — edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson, tight end Chig Okonkwo, safety Nick Cross. News of another defensive end, Charles Omenihu, arrived later.
That’s seven agreements in place; contracts can be signed starting Wednesday at 4 p.m., the start of the league’s new year.
The Playbook:
Age and speed
Money talk
Who starts?
Next steps
Bad news, good news
Age and Speed
Youth and stopwatches do not automatically mean wins or success. Still, more than any single position need, getting younger and faster were Washington’s main goals.
“I think you’re always trying to get younger and faster,” general manager Adam Peters said Jan. 5 following the season. “I think that’ll be a big emphasis for us this offseason.”
Nobody should hang a “Mission Accomplished” banner — but it’s fair to praise the work so far. Here are Washington’s new players along with their age (as of September 1) and 40-yard time from their draft year:
DE Odafe Oweh 27 (4.36)
CB Amik Robertson - 28 (4.45)
DT Tim Settle - 29
LB Leo Chenal - 25 (4.53)
DE K’Lavon Chaisson - 27
TE Chig Okonkwo - 26 (4.52)
S Nick Cross - 24 (4.34)
DE Charles Omenihy — 29
