The Washington Commanders must find another wide receiver to help Terry McLaurin in 2025. Since being drafted in 2019, the Commanders have never had a legitimate No. 2 or 1b opposite McLaurin, and he still manages to produce 1,000-yard seasons.
The popular name ahead of free agency is Cincinnati Bengals star Tee Higgins. Higgins, who was franchised last offseason, is expected to hit unrestricted free agency and have numerous bidders. While Cincinnati would prefer to keep Higgins, the Bengals will likely make Ja’Marr Chase the NFL’s highest-paid receiver.
Washington is in a good position to land Higgins. The Commanders have the third-most salary cap room ahead of free agency and a star young quarterback (Jayden Daniels) to entice Higgins. But Higgins is expected to command around $30 million per season or more, which may be too much for Washington general manager Adam Peters. The Commanders also have other holes to fill and may choose to focus on multiple positions instead of one massive signing.
There happens to be another highly productive free agent this offseason. Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Chris Godwin is a free agent.
Godwin turns 29 later this month and spent his eight-year career with Tampa Bay. He was off to another phenomenal start in 2024 until breaking his ankle in Week 7. Godwin was on pace for a career-high in receptions, yards and touchdowns.
It seems unlikely the Bucs will allow Godwin to test the market. Last offseason, Tampa reached a deal with future Hall of Fame receiver Mike Evans to keep him in town, and it could be a similar situation for Godwin.
Godwin is a different type of player than Higgins. He is one of the NFL’s best route runners and still possesses good size (6-foot-1, 209) and athleticism. He would be a perfect complement to McLaurin. While he wouldn’t add the game-breaking speed that Washington may look to add, he would give the Commanders another borderline No. 1, someone who’d be a reliable target for Daniels.
A native of Delaware who played collegiately at Penn State, Godwin would be much closer to home if he signed with Washington. The Buccaneers selected Jalen McMillan in the third round last season, and he emerged after Godwin’s absence. His presence doesn’t mean the Bucs would move on from Godwin, though. Tampa Bay would prefer to keep all its top pass-catching options around quarterback Baker Mayfield after a record-breaking season.
Godwin’s price would make him a more logical candidate for the Commanders, but it will be hard to pry him away from Tampa Bay.
