The Washington Commanders wasted no time getting down to business this weekend, kicking off their roster cuts Saturday afternoon by letting go of four players from their 90-man squad. With the league’s tough 53-player limit looming Sunday afternoon, these moves signal the start of some seriously tough decisions for GM Adam Peters and the coaching staff.
Early Defensive Shifts
It looks like the defensive side of the ball is where the Commanders are starting their major shake-up, with two linebackers and two safeties getting the axe in this first wave. Safety Qwuantrezz Knight, who had a prior working relationship with GM Adam Peters from their 49ers days, found himself on the outside looking in. Knight, an undrafted free agent signed by the 49ers in 2022, spent two seasons on their practice squad before a brief six-game stint with the Cardinals in 2023. After being released by Arizona, Washington signed him to a futures contract in January 2026. But after this cut, it really feels like this might be the end of the road for Knight’s NFL career.
Another safety, Joshuah Bledsoe, a 6th-round pick by the Patriots in 2021, is also likely facing the same grim reality. Bledsoe only played a handful of games for New England in 2022 and 2023, then bounced around, signing with the Steelers, Titans, and eventually the Commanders. He never managed to make a final 53-man roster, and this latest cut certainly doesn’t help his chances.
Pedigree vs. Production
The linebacker cuts are just as brutal, especially considering their draft capital. D.J. Johnson, a third-round selection (No. 80 overall) by the Panthers in the 2023 NFL Draft, started five games across 2023 and 2024 for Carolina and appeared in four more in 2025 before being waived. He signed with the Commanders’ practice squad late in 2025 and then to a futures contract in January.
Then there’s Boogie Basham, the 61st overall pick in the 2021 Draft by the Buffalo Bills. Basham was a high-profile pick, but he never consistently lived up to that draft potential. He spent two seasons with the Bills, two with the Giants, and 2025 with the Panthers, followed by a stint on the Raiders practice squad. The kicker? He never even started an NFL game. Washington had picked him up four days before this cut, on August 25. This pattern of high draft picks failing to launch is a tough lesson for any team.
So, what’s the takeaway? GM Adam Peters brought in these players, hoping their NFL experience would finally click. But pro football is harsh, and for these four, it looks like their NFL days are truly numbered. The Commanders still have a mountain of work ahead, needing to get their roster down from 90 to 53 players by 6:00 p.m. ET Sunday. Every decision from here on out shapes this team for the season, so buckle up. The cuts are far from over, and those final roster spots are up for grabs.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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