Commanders score massive unexpected win by retaining their own top free agent after testing market

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Josh Taylor | Last updated Mar 14, 2026 10:59 AM ET

The Washington Commanders have overhauled their roster this offseason by adding new faces to the roster, and building a stable foundation moving forward.

They also had the most free agents going into the offseason, and though they've lost a handful of them, they retained the ones they wanted to keep, including one of the more underrated free agents in this cycle.

After letting him test the market, a surprising breakout player for the Commanders, Chris Paul, is returning to Washington.

Commanders re-sign LG Chris Paul

The Commanders needed to upgrade many positions across the roster, but they also needed to make sure they kept the ones who earned a higher payday in free agency. After testing his market, which was expected to be very strong, Paul is returning to the Commanders on a one-year deal.

Sources: The #Commanders have re-signed OG Chris Paul to a 1-yr deal.

After exploring many options, he wanted to run it back playing next to Laremy Tunsil and help get the Commanders back to the playoffs. pic.twitter.com/AHLM4YnlMu
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 13, 2026

Paul was said to have an unexpectedly high market according to NFL insiders, but those teams went elsewhere, and a return seemed more likely as days passed by. The Commanders remained patient and stayed strong, and sure enough, they scored a win by bringing him back, and just on a one-year deal.

We don't know the numbers yet, but he was projected to make $12-$14 million per year, and I'd be shocked if it's close to that. Bringing Paul back was huge with a big question mark at the center position, and at least the LG spot is figured out.

Thoughts on bringing back Chris Paul

Paul was one of my favorite stories of the failed 2025 season, as the former seventh-round pick took over the starting LG position. He was a standout in pass protection and worked for the offense. My concern is his ability in the running game under David Blough's new scheme.

He's not a liability by any means, but the Commanders probably figured they could absolutely upgrade if he went elsewhere in free agency. Pass protection is his strong suit, but he needs to be able to move in space, pull across, and open up lanes in the run game, or he will eventually be replaced.

Signing him on a one-year deal signals that they want to see him in the new scheme, and give him the opportunity to he earned to fit for a long-term future in Washington instead of throwing him a bag and regretting it if his run blocking doesn't improve.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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