The Washington Commanders are facing a challenging season, marked by a sixth consecutive loss after a narrow overtime defeat against the Miami Dolphins. This streak has prompted serious concerns regarding the direction of the team under general manager Adam Peters, as the struggles seem to compound week after week.
Peters is confronted with significant challenges this offseason. With an eye on the future, he must focus on rejuvenating the roster while also leveraging the team’s salary cap space for an impactful presence in the free agency landscape. The situation is further complicated by the fact that the Commanders have only six draft picks at their disposal for the 2026 NFL Draft, making strategic decisions more critical than ever.
Current injuries have exacerbated the roster’s deficiencies, but a notable gamble taken by Peters may be coming back to haunt him. The move to secure veteran kicker Matt Gay after his release from the Indianapolis Colts is under renewed scrutiny. Peters invested heavily in Gay, offering him the largest one-year deal ever for a kicker, but recent performances have raised serious questions about the decision.
In the latest game against Miami, Gay missed two crucial field goals, one of which could have sealed a victory for the Commanders. This has become a recurring issue, as both attempts veered wide right, adding to the mounting frustration surrounding his accuracy and dependability during critical moments.
As the Commanders sit at a disappointing 3-8 record, their remaining games appear to be devoid of playoffs aspirations, leaving them with the option of either continuing with Gay through the end of the season or making a decisive change during the upcoming bye week. Peters’ history of making tough roster decisions suggests he will not hesitate to pivot if he believes it would benefit the team’s performance.
In the aftermath of the loss, Gay expressed regret and took full responsibility for the defeat—an attitude appreciated in professional sports but unlikely to influence the team’s strategic planning moving forward. With the poor performance trend, it seems likely that Gay’s tenure with the Commanders may be drawing to a close, either at the end of the season or sooner if there’s no improvement in his performance.
The Commanders have an opportunity to refocus and make the necessary adjustments as they continue through this challenging season, raising hopes for a stronger future as they aim to rebuild and return to competitive form.