With the 2025 preseason being concluded, what are we to make of the Commanders‘ defense?

GM Adam Peters determined he would aggressively address the defensive line, seeing the Commanders were 30th against the run in 2024. What had made matters even worse was the way the division rival Eagles ran repeatedly all over the Commanders’ defense in the NFC Championship game.

So, Peters began by making a surprising move when he released defensive tackle Jonathan Allen. Allen then found a good deal, signing with the Minnesota Vikings. The next one to leave was Dante Fowler, who signed with the Cowboys. Fowler had been the team’s best pass rusher with 10.5 sacks, but often had trouble sealing the edge and slowing down the run.

In another surprise move, Peters signed Javon Kinlaw (6-5, 319) to a three-year $45M contract, in order to bring some stout size to the Commanders’ defensive front. Next came Eddie Goldman (6-3, 332) to help plug the defensive inside. DT Sheldon Day was then re-signed, and DE/OLB Jacob Martin (6-2, 242) was signed, as Peters looked for a pass rusher to help replace Fowler.

Jalyn Holmes (6-5, 283) was re-signed, and Patriots DE Deatrich Wise (6-5, 271) was signed on the same day as a free agent. A couple of days later, Peters brought back DE Clelin Ferrell (6-4, 265), who was drafted No. 4 overall in the 2019 draft by the Raiders. However, he has yet to live up to such expectations.

Following the draft came other signings: DE Norell Pollard, DT Ricky Barber, and DT Carl Davis, who first signed with the Commanders during the 2024 season.

Then there are the players who were already under contract and returning to the Commanders’ defensive line: Defensive ends Dorance Armstrong, Javontae Jean-Baptiste, and Andre Jones, along with defensive tackles Daron Payne and Johnny Newton, are back with the Commanders.

Just a couple of weeks ago, Peters added one more signing. Hoping to bring some more pass rush to the defense, he signed future Hall of Fame edge rusher Von Miller. Miller, now 36, is expected to be a situational pass rusher for 2025.

Why go through all of this? Well, to show that Peters has been busy bringing in new players. But the truth is, there will be cuts made from the defensive line between now and Tuesday when NFL teams reduce their rosters to 53. Commanders Wire will track the cuts made as the Commanders reduce their roster to the league maximum.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders must make tough defensive decisions on NFL cutdown day