The Washington Commanders made plenty of noise this offseason as they appear to be building a roster capable of making a run to the Super Bowl sooner rather than later. 

NFL.com ranked Washington as one of the five teams in the NFL that made massive strides since the end of 2024 to prime for a huge season in 2025. 

While the NFL.com piece started by focusing on all of the obvious major upgrades on offense with the Commanders trading for Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil and then using their first round draft pick on former Oregon tackle Josh Conerly Jr., they made a point to highlight the underrated additions Washington made on defense as well: 

Defensively, the additions of Deatrich Wise and Jonathan Jones fortify a unit that is coming into its own under the direction of head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. If the Commanders continue to receive key contributions from their young defensive backs (Mike Sainristil, Quan Martin and Trey Amos), the reigning NFC runner-up could take the next step in 2025. 

The defense was far from the Commanders strong suit in 2024. While they finished No. 13 in the NFL allowing 326.9 yards per game, Washington was exposed when it mattered the most. Despite Jayden Daniels and the electric Commanders offense leading them to two victories in the playoffs to reach a NFC Championship game for the first time since 1991, the defense was non-existent in the postseason. They played decent enough in the wildcard matchup, holding a potent Buccaneers offense to just 20 points, but the Commanders allowed 31 points on the road in Detroit. 

In the NFC Championship game, Washington’s defensive unit was exposed in a major way as the Eagles gashed them for 455 total yards while putting up 55 points. If the Commanders are going to make a run at a Super Bowl in 2025, they have to play better on the defensive side of the ball. 

 The Commanders’ve responded to their run‑stopping struggles (a an area they struggled mightily in 2024) by adding size and flexibility up front. Deatrich Wise Jr., Javon Kinlaw, Eddie Goldman, Carl Davis, Jr., and re‑signed Sheldon Day are a formidable front with Dorrance Armstrong returning on the edge and Daron Payne anchoring the middle. .

With so much size up front, the Commanders are likely hoping to free up linebackers Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu both against the run, and as pass rushers. 

The one lingering question all offseason has been the lack of a dominant edge rusher with Dante Fowler Jr. — who led the team in sacks last season — no longer on the roster. 

Naturally the Washington Commanders have been linked to trade rumors involving Bengals star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, who has yet to reach an agreement in Cincinnati and has been attached to trade speculation all offseason. 

But in a report from Ben Standig of The Athletic, earlier this week, the Washington Commanders plan on evaluating their in-house pass rushers before adding any outside talent and have no plans on pursuing Hendrickson. 

While a move could theoretically happen closer to the regular season, Standig’s report suggests Washington is content to roll with the current players on the roster and hope a change in scheme will generate a much-needed pass rush in 2025.