The Washington Commanders have had a pretty slow start to the first day of the NFL’s legal tampering window, and that was not good after a disappointing season. Work needed to be done throughout Washington’s roster. Defense especially needed upgrades, and for the Commanders’ biggest signing so far, they got that upgrade: EDGE Odafe Oweh.
After Commanders Made One of the Biggest Deals of the Day, the NFL World Reacted
Last season, the Commanders had the third-worst defensive impact score per PFSN’s Defensive Impact Metric. Having a defensive-minded HC, Dan Quinn, it is unacceptable for Washington to have that bad a defense. If Quinn and the Commanders had any hope for 2026, they needed to make moves to never let the defense regress to where it was, and adding Oweh does that.
Last season, per PFSN’s EDGE Impact, Oweh had 7.5 sacks and 8 tackles for loss. Although these numbers won’t jump off the page, Oweh played some of the best football of his young career. Now, the Commanders add him to their defensive line on a 4-year, $100M contract. After the move was announced, the NFL World had some strong reactions:
NFL insider John Frascella emphasized the amount of money Washington gave Oweh and joked that the Commanders have finally joined the free agent party, “BREAKING: One hundred MILLION for Odafe Oweh from the COMMANDERS,” “Washington is alive.”
BREAKING:
One hundred MILLION for Odafe Oweh from the COMMANDERS
Washington is alive https://t.co/dVqTOkdTG7
— John Frascella (Football) (@NFLFrascella) March 9, 2026
NFL content creator and Commanders fan Janky Rondo praises Washington’s GM, Adam Peters, for the move:
BANGGGGGG APPPP
THANK YOUUUU https://t.co/CGAANySTZE
— Rondo Shai Gil Alexander (@JankyRondo) March 9, 2026
Chargers insider Kris Rhim reveals how Oweh’s departure is a massive loss for the defense: “A big loss for the Chargers and first-year DC Chris O’Leary – Odafe Oweh heads to Washington”.
A big loss for the Chargers and first year DC Chris O’Leary – Odafe Oweh heads to Washington https://t.co/b1w9mEYKZ1
— Kris Rhim (@krisrhim1) March 9, 2026
Chargers beat writer account Bolt Beat gives his opinion why bringing back Oweh could never happen for Los Angeles, “It might be unpopular, but re-signing Oweh at this price never made sense with a looming Tuli extension. Hope he continues his success in Washington!”
It might be unpopular, but re-signing Oweh at this price never made sense with a looming Tuli extension.
Hope he continues his success in Washington! https://t.co/SzU9VmFlJt
— Bolt Beat (@BB_Chargers) March 9, 2026
NFL insider Field Yates spoke on the Commanders’ perspective with this deal and what their goal in the offseason was: “The Commanders have wanted to beef up the pass rush this offseason. Oweh had an awesome finish to the season with the Chargers, including 3.0 sacks vs. the Patriots in the playoffs.”
The Commanders have wanted to beef up the pass rush this offseason.
Oweh had an awesome finish to the season with the Chargers, including 3.0 sacks vs. the Patriots in the playoffs. https://t.co/7w082l5T2Z
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 9, 2026
New England Patriots insider Andrew Callahan explains how the EDGE market looks after Oweh’s deal with the Commanders: “Trey Hendrickson is the only top EDGE left. He’ll command more than $30 million per year. #Patriots OLB K’Lavon Chaisson also still unsigned.”
Trey Hendrickson is the only top EDGE left. He’ll command more than $30 million per year.#Patriots OLB K’Lavon Chaisson also still unsigned. https://t.co/1hsHezeaIc
— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) March 9, 2026
With QB Jayden Daniels set to return healthy, the Commanders need to continue building the team and getting this roster back to the success they had in 2024.
Bringing back QB Marcus Mariota and adding CB Amik Robertson was not enough, but adding Oweh makes these three players a good start to the offseason.
