The 2026 NFL trade deadline passed on Tuesday with a few more moves around the league. The Washington Commanders weren’t a part of those moves. While the Commanders listened to offers, they truly believe they are still in the NFC East race and chose to stand pat for the second consecutive year.
Was this the right move? Only time will tell. The Commanders had several players who could’ve been moved for Day 3 picks. Players such as wide receiver Stefon Diggs, linebackers Dorance Armstrong, K’Lavon Chaisson and Frankie Luvu, offensive lineman Andrew Wylie and cornerback Mike Sainristil could have all likely fetched a pick each. Lesser players at the same positions as Diggs, Chaisson and Luvu got quality picks in return.
What does this mean?
General
manager Adam Peters needs to win games. Whether the Commanders can catch the Giants or not — they better win on Thursday — he needs to stack some wins to show owner Josh Harris he should be picking the next head coach.
Peters isn’t on the hot seat, regardless of what anyone says. He’ll be picking the next coach. At this point, it’s not an assumption that the Commanders will move on from Dan Quinn after the season. Quinn hasn’t done himself any favors, whether it’s the continued losing, the end-of-game mismanagement, or more. Barring a very unexpected winning streak, Washington will move on from Quinn. Peters isn’t going anywhere.
So, if you’re a GM that needs to win, why would you trade some valuable pieces who can probably help you carve out a few wins for the remainder of the season? With Terry McLaurin out, keeping Diggs felt essential. Washington wants to help quarterback Jayden Daniels finish strong, and taking away another top option would not help accomplish that.
Players like Chaisson and Luvu could be a part of the future. Sure, you could re-sign them after the season if you traded them, but what happens if they go elsewhere, play well, and are offered an extension? Luvu has bounced back after a rough 2025. Chaisson looks like a player you can build around for the next few seasons.
It doesn’t really make sense why Peters didn’t trade Wylie and Sainristil. Wylie brings value as a sixth offensive lineman. He’s started close to 100 NFL games and can play tackle or guard. You could make the case that he should be starting now on Washington’s starting offensive line. But he’s not. So, why not trade him if you can get a pick back?
Sainristil is the most confusing case. Is this a case of Peters just not wanting to admit a mistake? A second-round pick in 2024, Sainristil regressed over the last two years after a promising season. Does Peters think newly hired assistant Steve Wilks can help Sainristil? Otherwise, it makes no sense. He has played one defensive snap combined in the last two games. In three of the last four games, he’s played fewer than 10 defensive snaps. He’s essentially Washington’s No. 4 cornerback behind Amik Robertson, Trey Amos and Rasul Douglas, but ahead of Isaac Yiadom and Fabian Moreau.
He had been linked to the Bears and Lions, among others. That’s not to say they would’ve given up much for him, but there was rumored interest. Sainristil could use a fresh start. So could the Commanders.
Time will tell if Peters made the right move by not making a move. Some just assume that adding picks means landing guaranteed players. It means nothing if you could pick the wrong guys. In this case, Peters is banking on the continued growth of Daniels and a schedule that lightens up after a brutal start, allowing the Commanders to pick up more wins and maybe — just maybe — compete in the NFC East.
If you’ve watched this team this season, it’s difficult to imagine this team winning multiple games in a row and competing. But as long as Washington has a chance, Peters is rolling the dice.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders stand pat at NFL trade deadline: What it means
