Updated Commanders salary-cap space on the year’s biggest shopping day

Adam Peters has left an incredibly positive impression since becoming Washington Commanders general manager earlier this year. He came into the organization with a glowing reputation in league circles following prolific spells with perennial contenders. There’s a long way to go, but this once-proud franchise is in good hands at long last.

Peters moved with purpose and professionalism throughout the offseason. He completely shifted the culture within Washington’s front office, adopting a collaborative approach and ruthless mentality with no sentiment attached to the decision-making process whatsoever. To say this was a breath of fresh air would be an understatement.

Things haven’t gone well for the Commanders over the past month. But looking at the bigger picture, things are night and day compared to the Ron Rivera years. This was something Peters recognized before the trade deadline, striking a telling blow by securing the services of four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore from the New Orleans Saints.

That impacted Washington’s draft picks and financial resources for next season. However, the front-office leader got a premier playmaker in a position of need who could help throughout the Commanders’ remaining regular-season engagements and way into the future.

The Commanders are still in a healthy position, make no mistake about that. According to Spotrac, they have $24.25 million in salary-cap space remaining on the year’s biggest shopping day, Black Friday. Some difficult roster decisions by Peters left Washington with $42.8 million in dead cap space. Charles Leno heads the outlay at more than $8 million. Nick Gates, Curtis Samuel, Chase Roullier, and Jamin Davis are all above $4 million.

Washington’s outlook is even more prosperous in the coming years thanks in no small part to the stability Peters brought to the organization immediately.

This will change depending on signings, contract extensions, or salary-cap sacrifices. Peters is the right man to spearhead this ambitious project. He’s methodical and knows what it takes to build a winner. Good people are working alongside him and he’s getting all the support needed from Josh Harris’ ownership group.

It’s also worth remembering that the Commanders are reportedly becoming an attractive destination once again. Adam Schefter of ESPN revealed before the trade deadline that players around the league were actively trying to instigate moves to Washington through their agents. That doesn’t guarantee anything, but it can’t hurt that’s for sure.

Peters has the full trust and support of everyone associated with the Commanders. That’s the biggest positive above all after decades of decay.

More Commanders news and analysis