Commanders eye extension with Tunsil, offer no updates on Wagner, Ertz
Commanders general manager Adam Peters is keeping every door open as Washington steps into a crucial offseason period. He avoided any splashy comments at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Tuesday, instead focusing on flexibility in contract negotiations.
Now in his third offseason in Washington, Peters has key decisions to make regarding players such as defensive tackle Daron Payne, left tackle Laremy Tunsil and cornerback Marshon Lattimore. All three players are eligible for contract extensions as they enter the final year of their deals.
Washington’s front office traded a haul of draft picks to the Houston Texans for Tunsil last offseason. He’s a top priority again this spring.
“I don’t want to put a timeline on it, but it is really important for us. We’ve been having good and productive talks,” Peters said. “I don’t think either side wants to drag it on.”
Payne and Lattimore didn’t receive the same assurances. Peters confirmed previous reports that the Commanders are not negotiating with Payne and plan to allow him to play out the remainder of his deal. Any new contract would arrive next offseason.
Lattimore is widely expected to be a free agent in the coming weeks. He has underwhelmed since joining the Commanders halfway through their 2024 campaign. Washington can open up $18.5 million in cap space by cutting him.
“We haven’t made a final decision there. There’s a lot of things that go into that, and we’ll still have a few more conversations,” Peters said. “Until then, he’s still on our team.”
The lack of declarations was a theme for Peters and coach Dan Quinn on Tuesday.
Linebacker Bobby Wagner is a free agent this offseason with his future up in the air. The 11-time All-Pro turns 36 this summer but has not announced any plans to retire.
“We love Wags,” Quinn told reporters. “We haven’t gone into the specifics of what’s ahead and where we’re at with him yet. That’ll be in the days and weeks ahead.”
The front office plans to “keep the door open” for tight end Zach Ertz as well. The 34-year-old is a pending free agent who tore his ACL during a December game against the Minnesota Vikings.
NFL Network reported Tuesday that Ertz is planning to return to the league for a 14th season, squashing any retirement rumors.
“We’ve had a lot of talks with him and his agent,” Peters told a scrum of Washington reporters on Tuesday. “But you can’t count on anything.”
Ertz developed a crucial rapport with Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels during his two seasons in Washington. A lack of depth at pass-catcher was a nagging issue for the Commanders last season as Ertz and wide receivers Terry McLaurin, Noah Brown and Luke McCaffrey struggled with injuries.
Receiver Deebo Samuel, who the Commanders traded for last offseason, is also slated to become a free agent.
Throughout offseason conversations, one receiver has consistently cropped up as a potential pass-catcher to pair with Daniels. San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk played with the Commanders quarterback at Arizona State.
Peters was part of the front office that drafted Aiyuk in San Francisco six years ago.
But the former All-Pro did not play in 2025. A contract dispute led him to leave the 49ers as he rehabbed an ACL injury. NFL insiders across the league expect San Francisco to cut or trade Aiyuk this offseason, with Washington regularly floated as a potential landing spot.
“I think everybody on Earth deserves a second chance,” Peters said, noting that he is limited in what he can say about a player who is still under contract. “In terms of Brandon, love the person, but can’t really comment on the player.”