The 2026 trade deadline came and went last week with the Washington Commanders standing pat. At 2-5-1 at the deadline, Washington felt it could still win the NFC East. And judging by Thursday’s performance in the win over the first-place New York Giants, perhaps it was the right decision not to trade away key contributors for Day 3 draft picks.
One player was rumored to have some interest around the NFL. A player who has barely contributed on defense this season: third-year cornerback Mike Sainristil.
Sainristil, a second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, looked like a cornerstone player for years to come during his rookie season. However, Sainristil regressed in 2025. That regression continued early this season, and he was benched. Sainristil continues
to dress and play on special teams, but over the last four games, Sainristil has played a total of eight defensive snaps.
Here’s a look at his snap totals from the last six games:
- Week 4: 5
- Week 5: 43
- Week 6: 7
- Week 7: BYE
- Week 8: 0
- Week 9: 1
- Week 10: 0
Washington has six cornerbacks on its 53-man roster. Since Trey Amos returned from injured reserve, Sainristil has served as the fourth cornerback, with Isaac Yiadom and Fabian Moreau being inactive. That begs the question: is he worth keeping around on the bench if other teams are interested?
According to ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, there was outside interest in Sainristil.
The Commanders received multiple calls on corner Mike Sainristil, a 2024 second-rounder who's out of the rotation in the Washington secondary. The Commanders were parting with Sainristil only for a quality pick, though.
Washington is clearly telling you every week what they think of Sainristil right now. The Commanders do not trust him. Why should they? When opposing quarterbacks saw the number “0” in the game, they immediately targeted him. So if GM Adam Peters received multiple calls on Sainristil, why not move him? If he’s not in your plans, wouldn’t it be in everyone’s best interest to move on?
Maybe Washington was offered a conditional draft pick or a seventh-rounder for Sainristil. If that’s the case, maybe Peters believed Sainristil, who is under contract for next season, was more valuable to the Commanders. Maybe Washington still believes Sainristil can turn things around.
For fans, it feels like a missed opportunity. However, Peters may believe that if Sainristil settles in at one spot—the nickel—he can contribute again next season.
We shall see.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Did Commanders GM Adam Peters make huge mistake at NFL trade deadline?
