Washington Commanders: Ready to Trim the Roster!

This season, the Washington Commanders, known for their lengthy legacy, found themselves in a position to part ways with over 30 players as they slimmed their roster from 90 to 53. With a mix of veterans and rookies, the fate of several players hangs in the balance, especially those on rookie contracts who might escape the cut, but risk being claimed by other teams.

Who Faces the Waiver Wire?

Here’s a rundown of the Commanders' players who could find themselves exposed on the waiver wire, making them eligible for claims by other teams:

- LB Kam Arnold - DT Ricky Barber - WR Ja’Corey Brooks - WR Jacoby Jones - LB Ale Kaho - S Robert McDaniel - G Timothy McKay - DE Andre Jones Jr. - DE Norell Pollard - RB Demetric Felton - CB Car’lin Vigers - RB Kazmeir Allen - QB Sam Hartman - WR Tay Martin - S Ben Nikkel - WR Braylon Sanders - CB Trey Amos - T Josh Conerly Jr. - RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt - WR Jaylin Lane - LB Kain Medrano - T Brandon Coleman - QB Jayden Daniels - DE Javontae Jean-Baptiste - LB Jordan Magee - WR Luke McCaffrey - DT Jer’Zhan Newton - S Tyler Owens - CB Mike Sainristil - TE Ben Sinnott - TE Colson Yankoff - S Quan Martin

Demystifying NFL Waivers: How It Works

When a player is waived, any team has the opportunity to claim them through the waiver wire, inheriting their current contract. The order of claims is determined by the draft order from the previous April, which means teams need to act fast!

Claims are submitted simultaneously, but only the team with the highest priority can successfully claim the player. This system can be a lifeline for players who were cut but are still sought after.

Players on the Waiver Wire: What You Need to Know

Whether a player lands on the waiver wire or immediately enters free agency largely depends on their NFL service time. Players with four or more years are released outright and become unrestricted free agents. In contrast, those with less service time are fair game for waivers.

In particular, players with fewer than three years of service are often the ones to enterwaivers, categorized as Exclusive Rights Free Agents. For them, the waiver wire process is a critical path to finding a spot on a team or practice squad.

Current NFL Waiver Order Breakdown

Throughout preseason and the first three weeks, the waiver order reflects the 2025 NFL Draft order. After that, it resets based on the current NFL standings. As it stands, the Titans hold the number one waiver claim!

Stay tuned as the waiver process unfolds, and watch for which Commanders players may get a second chance elsewhere!