Do Commanders have any potential post-June 1 cut candidates?
· Yahoo Sports
We've reached the latest date on the NFL's offseason calendar: June 1. What's so special about June 1? For NFL teams looking to unload veteran players and save some cap space, June 1 is important because it allows teams to split a player's dead cap hit over two seasons.
What does this mean for the Washington Commanders in 2026?
Visit tr-sport.bond for more information.
Well, maybe nothing. There is the Brandon Aiyuk matter that never seems to end. Aiyuk, who suffered a knee injury and hasn't played since October 2024, will not play for the 49ers again. He wants out, and San Francisco has publicly said he's played his last down for the 49ers. Could this saga end soon? Aiyuk reportedly wants to play for the Commanders with Jayden Daniels. However, San Francisco has indicated it is in no hurry to give Aiyuk what he wants, so this situation could drag on through the summer.
As for current Commanders, there's no one on the roster in danger of being released due to salary-cap concerns. Washington remains in excellent salary cap shape, with around $43 million in cap space, according to Over the Cap.
However, that hasn't stopped one writer from naming Commanders' edge rusher Dorance Armstrong Jr. as a potential cap casualty.
Randy Gurzi of Cowboys on SI named four potential cap casualties who could help Dallas in 2026. He included Armstrong, who spent his first six NFL seasons with the Cowboys, before signing with the Commanders in 2024.
A name Cowboys fans will remember, Dorance Armstrong developed into a trusted rotational pass rusher during his four seasons in Dallas. His final season with the Cowboys was in 2023, when he had 7.5 sacks. Armstrong then followed Dan Quinn to Washington, signing a three-year deal worth $33 million.
In two years, he has 10.5 sacks for the Commanders and has been a solid run defender. That said, he's coming off a knee injury and Washington could free up more than $9 million in cap space. They're not desperate for space by any means, but his salary could make him expendable.
Armstrong, who turns 29 this month, is entering the final season of a three-year, $45 million deal he signed in 2024. Armstrong played in 16 games for the Commanders in 2024, recording five sacks and two forced fumbles. In 2025, Armstrong was off to the best season of his eight-year career, recording 5.5 sacks and 7 tackles for loss in seven games before tearing his ACL against his former team. He was on pace for his best career season.
The Commanders invested heavily in edge rushers this offseason, signing Odafe Oweh, K'Lavon Chaisson, and Charles Omenihu. Washington loves Armstrong, as head coach Dan Quinn spent three seasons with him in Dallas and brought him to the Commanders. He's played well for Washington. Sure, he's coming off an injury, but all signs point to him being ready for Week 1.
The Commanders do not need the cap space and will keep Armstrong, who remains a quality player, something Washington needs. Not only will Armstrong remain with the Commanders, but don't expect GM Adam Peters to release any players to save cap space.
But you can be sure the Commanders will be watching to see which players become available from other teams.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Any potential post-June 1 cap casualties?