Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters just addressed the media in Indianapolis at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. Here are five takeaways from his press conference.
- Arm length is in the eye of the beholder.
It's combine week, which means that scouts, media members and analysts are going to get intimately familiar with measurables like hand size and arm length. The latter is going to be of particular importance for some of the pass rushers in this year's class, and there are several who will likely be below the NFL average.
Peters admitted that it's ideal to have a pass rusher with long arms, but the answer can be a bit more nuanced than that.
"Every time you measure someone's arm, it could be 31, 32, 33, just depending on who measures it," Peters said. "You get a pretty good idea of how long their arms are with that, but [it's] really how well they play with whatever arm length they have."
Although Peters didn't mention any names, most people's minds will go to Miami's Rueben Bain, who has been criticized for having a shorter arm length compared to some of the other top tier pass rushers. That might be true, but Bain also recorded 9.5 sacks to go with 54 tackles and generated 67 pressures. His arm length also hasn't stopped draft experts from mocking him to go in the top half of the first round.
As Peters said, while it's great to have length, it's also about how players use it.
"Some guys have shorter arms that play with great length and extension all the time," Peters said. "Some guys have really long arms that don't use that."
- Still motivated to extend Laremy Tunsil, but no timeline.
Peters has made it clear that the Commanders want to get an extension done with Tunsil sooner rather than later. He played like a player near the top of his position last season, and Peters has heaped praise on how he became a leader on the roster.
Those feelings haven't changed, but he's not putting a hard timeline on when that will happen.
"But it is really important for us," Peters said. "We've been having good and productive talks with Laremy and his team. We're as motivated as ever to get that done ... I don't think either side wants to drag it on, but I don't think the league year is gonna be a deadline of sorts."
Peters hasn't shied away from discussing how influential Tunsil was for the Commanders' offensive line and unit as a whole. He put up career numbers as a run blocker and allowed just two sacks all year. He also cut down on penalties -- one of his biggest criticisms from earlier in his career.
Tunsil will be 32 by the time the 2026 season arrives. He does have one more year on his contract, but the Commanders are looking to make him their left tackle for much longer than that.
- Still trying to build depth across the board.
The Commanders' roster has improved at several spots since Peters took over as the general manager, but even he would admit that there is still plenty of work to be done. The roster is about to experience significant turnover for the third consecutive season because of all the short-term contracts they signed in 2024 and 2025.
So, the Commanders are once again looking to build at just about every position.
"You can look across the board, and we're still building the depth," Peters said. "Due to the nature of how we've done a lot of the shorter-term contract, we'll have to turn over until we can keep building a foundation through the draft and through longer term contracts."
But the Commanders aren't just looking to improve their depth. Peters said they're also looking to improve their starters, and there's room for growth there as well. The Commanders only have three receivers on the roster, and the defense needs help at every level.
The good news is that the combination of free agency and the draft lines up with the Commanders' needs. Ohio State has a bevy of defensive players who will likely be taken in the top half of the draft; there are also a number of wide receivers who Washington could take in the third round. Washington only has six draft picks for now, but they have some of the most projected available cap space this year.
So, while there is work to do, Peters is confident the roster will improve this offseason.
Check out some of the top photos from Washington Commanders offensive coordinator David Blough's playing career.
Purdue quarterback David Blough, rear center, looks for a receiver during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Nebraska in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Cleveland Browns quarterback David Blough, right, hands off to A.J Ouellette during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough hands off to running back Godwin Igwebuike during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Friday, Aug. 27, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough (10) goes through reads during a preseason NFL football game, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2022, in Pittsburgh, PA. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
Arizona Cardinals quarterback David Blough (17) rolls out of the pocket during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Jan.8, 2023, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Scot Tucker)
Purdue quarterback David Blough stands on the sideline after being pulled from the game in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Maryland in College Park, Md., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Purdue quarterback David Blough scrambles against Michigan State during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Purdue quarterback David Blough speaks during a funeral for Tyler Trent at College Park Church, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019, in Indianapolis. Trent, an avid Purdue fan, died on New Year's Day, following a bout with bone cancer. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, Pool)
Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough (10) rushes against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
Purdue quarterback David Blough lays on the ground after being injured during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, November 21, 2015, in Iowa City, Iowa. Blough didn't return to the game after the injury. (AP Photo/Justin Hayworth)
Purdue quarterback David Blough (11) throws in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois, Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Holly Hart)
Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough throws against the Chicago Bears during an NFL football game in Detroit, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough (10) in action against Indianapolis Colts during an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 27, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
Purdue quarterback David Blough (11) celebrates with wide receiver Rondale Moore (4) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018. Wisconsin defeated Purdue 47-44 in overtime. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough (10) warms up before an NFL preseason football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Fred Vuich)
Arizona Cardinals quarterback David Blough (17) throws a pass during an NFL football football game against the Atlanta Falcons Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Purdue quarterback David Blough (11) throws against Nebraska during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Purdue quarterback David Blough throws during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Indiana, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough (10) warms up prior to an NFL football game against Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019. (AP Images/Rick Osentoski
Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough (10) throws against the Denver Broncos during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Arizona Cardinals quarterback David Blough makes a throw during NFL football training camp practice at State Farm Stadium Monday, Aug. 7, 2023, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough warms up prior to an NFL football game between the Detroit Lions and Washington Redskins, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally)
Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough (10) passes against the Green Bay Packers during an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
Arizona Cardinals quarterback David Blough (17) throws a pass past Cardinals linebacker Kyle Soelle (58) during NFL football training camp practice at State Farm Stadium, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Purdue quarterback David Blough (11) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015, in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin won 24-7. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
Cleveland Browns quarterback David Blough (9) throws a pass during practice at the NFL football team's training facility Monday, July 29, 2019, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough rolls out to pass against the Chicago Bears during an NFL football game in Detroit, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough plays during the second half of a preseason NFL football game, Friday, Aug. 27, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Purdue quarterback David Blough, right, gets tackled by Iowa defensive back Geno Stone (9) in the second half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Purdue quarterback David Blough (11) during an NCAA college football game between Iowa and Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind., Sunday, Nov. 3, 2018. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Cleveland Browns quarterback David Blough (9) plays against the Washington Redskins during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Purdue quarterback David Blough in the second half of a college NCAA football game between Illinois and Purdue, Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Holly Hart)
Purdue quarterback David Blough (11) during an NCAA college football game between Iowa and Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind., Sunday, Nov. 3, 2018. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough (10) passes against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
Purdue quarterback David Blough (11) throws against Louisville during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Indianapolis, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Purdue quarterback David Blough (11) cuts in front of Missouri defensive lineman Franklin Agbasimere (45) for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Purdue quarterback David Blough (11) during an NCAA college football game between Iowa and Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind., Sunday, Nov. 3, 2018. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
East quarterback David Blough (11), of Purdue, during the first half of the East West Shrine football game Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough warms up before an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
Cleveland Browns' David Blough throws a pass during an NFL football organized team activity session at the team's training facility Wednesday, May 22, 2019, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns quarterback David Blough (9) scrambles against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of an NFL preseason football game Friday, Aug. 23, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough (10) passes against the Chicago Bears during an NFL football game in Detroit, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019. (AP Images/Rick Osentoski)
Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough (10) passes against Tampa Bay Buccaneers during an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019. (AP Images/Rick Osentoski)
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Colt McCoy, middle, smiles as he talks with Cardinals quarterbacks Jeff Driskel, left, and David Blough, right, during NFL football training camp practice at State Farm Stadium Monday, Aug. 7, 2023, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Purdue quarterback David Blough (11) looks downfield during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Purdue guard Jason King (72) and quarterback David Blough (11) celebrate a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Northwestern in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)
Purdue quarterback David Blough against Minnesota in the first half of a NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough (10) flips over Green Bay Packers defensive back Chandon Sullivan (39) at the 1-yard line during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
FILE - In this Sept. 19, 2015, file photo, Purdue's Austin Appleby (12) tosses the football to Markell Jones during an NCAA college football game against Virginia Tech in West Lafayette, Ind. Appleby is likely to reclaim the starting job he lost earlier this season if redshirt freshman David Blough can't play against Indiana on Saturday, Nov. 28 after leaving last weekend's game with a concussion. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough (10) talks with wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) after connecting with Golladay on a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
- Daronte Jones and David Blough's vision will beimportant this offseason.
The Commanders made bold moves at both coordinator spots this offseason, electing to hire coaches with no play calling experience at the professional level. Fortunately, both Blough and Jones have been vocal about their visions for the offense and defense, respectively, as well as the types of players they want in their schemes.
So, Peters is going to rely heavily on their perspective to reshape the roster.
"I was really excited to talk about...how much they're involved and letting us all know -- not just the scouts and pro scouts -- but really everybody who is in that room," Peters said. "Everybody got to hear what the vision is for each position and how we're gonna play."
The Commanders have a collaborative approach to everything they do when it comes to constructing the roster. Blough and Jones have jumped on that approach and talked through everything they're looking for in players going forward. There wasn't much ambiguity from either coach, and every department from the other coaches to the scouts have a clear idea of their foundation for the future.
We won't have any hints about those visions until the team gets on the field later in the year, but we should have a clearer picture once the Commanders start making moved in free agency and the draft.
- No pressure to add a tight end.
The Commanders are in an interesting position with their tight ends. Zach Ertz has been one of their best players over the last two seasons, but the veteran is still recovering from his knee injury and likely won't be ready for most of the 2026 season.
The Commanders aren't going to turn down good players, but Peters likes what he has in the position as it is currently constructed. John Bates has continued to cement himself as one of the league's top blocking tight ends, and Peters believes Ben Sinnott will have room to make plays in Blough's system. He even mentioned how excited the team is for Lawrence Cager and how he can help in the passing game.
"We'll look to kind of fill his [Ertz's] role with a combination of those guys," Peters said.
With that said, the Commanders are at least open to the possibility of adding another pass-catcher to the position. It would certainly help replace Ertz, who had 504 yards and four touchdowns last season. There are several players who could help with that as well, from the likes of Kyle Pitts and Isaiah Likely to lesser-known products like Chigoziem Okonkwo and others.
The Commanders' offense was at its best in 2024 when it had a reliable tight end. The Commanders want to "leave the door open" for Ertz, but they are aware of their situation and want to do whatever necessary to give Jayden Daniels more weapons.
