The Washington Commanders shocked everyone in 2024, falling one game short of the Super Bowl. After winning only four games in 2023, the Commanders completed one of the best turnarounds in NFL history this season. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels took the league by storm, often strapping the team to his back.
Daniels’ brilliance hid some of Washington’s weaknesses in 2024, primarily a struggling defense. That’s not to say the Commanders’ high-powered offense couldn’t use more help, too.
The bad news is Washington’s success has them picking 29th overall in the 2025 NFL draft. You will not hear any reasonable Commanders fan complain about that being the price for success. But there’s also good news. According to Over the Cap, Washington enters the offseason with around $80 million in salary cap space, which is third in the NFL.
The Commanders could approach the offseason similarly to last offseason, signing several veterans to either one-year deals or selective players to reasonable multi-year deals to fill holes on both sides of the ball.
Washington could also splurge on an elite player—someone like Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins. Several analysts believe the Commanders should make a play for Higgins, giving Daniels two star wideouts in Higgins and Terry McLaurin.
Jordan Dajani of CBS Sports recently named one free agent that all 32 NFL teams should prioritize this offseason. Higgins was his pick for Washington.
The Commanders have plenty of work to do on the defensive side of the ball this offseason, but they also can’t run it back with what they have at wide receiver. Jayden Daniels needs someone other than Terry McLaurin to throw the ball to, and Tee Higgins is arguably the top free agent in this entire class. The 26-year-old caught a career-high 10 touchdowns this past season in just 12 games played.
CBS isn’t the first, nor will be the last, to believe the Commanders should pursue Higgins. However, we explained why it’s doubtful that general manager Adam Peters will give out a large contract to Higgins. Washington will likely extend McLaurin and look elsewhere for receiver help.
But, never say never.
