The Washington Commanders’ safety room is undergoing a significant overhaul just a week before the regular season. General Manager Adam Peters and Head Coach Dan Quinn made their intentions clear on Tuesday morning: experience won’t save you if the tape doesn’t hold up.
In a move that clears out a veteran presence but raises questions about depth, Washington has officially released eighth-year safety Will Harris. The transaction was packaged with a flurry of other defensive moves, but Harris is undoubtedly the biggest name to pack his bags.
Here is a full breakdown of why Will Harris was released and how the Commanders will piece together their defensive backfield for the 2026 campaign.
The Financials and The Fallout
Harris joined Washington last offseason and started nine games in 2025 before a fractured fibula ended his year. He posted 38 tackles, one sack, and a forced fumble during that span. After a sensational run to the NFC Championship Game in 2024, the Commanders opted not to match the Las Vegas Raiders’ offer for standout safety Jeremy Chinn in the 2025 offseason.
The front office gambled that Harris could step up as a reliable piece. Instead, his injury derailed his 2025 campaign. This preseason, his snap count dwindled as training camp progressed. Harris struggled notably in the recent 17-13 preseason loss to the Detroit Lions, confirming to Quinn and the coaching staff that it was time to pull the plug.
The Cap Impact:
Releasing Harris—who had one year remaining on his deal—saves the Commanders $3.76 million against the 2026 salary cap, while leaving a minimal $1 million in dead money.
Replenishing the Roster
Harris wasn’t the only casualty in Tuesday’s defensive shuffle. The Commanders are actively churning the bottom of the roster to find fresh legs.
- Released: Safeties Will Harris and Malik Spencer.
- Signed: Safeties Joshuah Bledsoe (former Patriots 2021 sixth-round pick) and Quindell Johnson (undrafted standout).
- Injured Reserve: LB Drake Jackson.
These moves clear out the back end and give Bledsoe and Johnson a brief, high-pressure window to make their case for the final 53-man roster.
How the Safety Room Looks Now
With Harris out of the picture, Washington’s safety depth chart is firmly centered around a new identity. The defense now relies heavily on Quan Martin and newcomer Nick Cross to serve as the foundational anchors at the back end. Behind them, veteran presence Jeremy Reaves supplies vital stability and leadership, while high-upside prospects like Tyler Owens and other young talents round out the developmental pipeline.
| Player | Status | Outlook for 2026 |
| Quan Martin | Projected Starter | The 2023 second-round pick is locked in as a primary anchor. Martin brings elite athleticism to the deep middle and faces a defining year taking charge of the secondary. |
| Nick Cross | Projected Starter | Acquired to shore up the defensive backfield, Cross brings physical run-stopping prowess and sideline-to-sideline range to lock down the safety spot opposite Martin. |
| Jeremy Reaves | Veteran Anchor / Special Teams Core | A dependable, high-motor presence who provides crucial depth, defensive flexibility, and elite special teams value. |
| Percy Butler | Rotational Piece | A versatile asset used in sub-packages and sub-defensive formations to inject speed. |
| Tyler Owens & Young Prospects | Developmental / Bubble | Athletic upside plays fighting for core special teams roles and deep reserve spots on the final 53. Owens’ positional flexibility could accelerate his path to regular defensive snaps. |
Adam Peters is sending a distinct message to the locker room: the Commanders are building a roster based on current production, not past contracts. While moving on from Will Harris frees up valuable cap space, it places immense pressure on Quan Martin and Nick Cross to anchor the secondary from day one. With Jeremy Reaves providing veteran stability and Tyler Owens pushing for expanded snaps, the safety room is completely revamped and ready for the regular-season spotlight.
