The Washington Commanders are coming off their best season in decades after finishing 2024 with a (12-5) record in the regular season and making a magical, unexpected run to the NFC Championship game.
Since getting blown out by the Eagles last January and missing out on the Super Bowl, GM Adam Peters and the Commanders brass have made several moves this offseason in a clear attempt to build a roster that can compete for a Super Bowl right now.
In the modern NFL era, the goal is to capitalize on the window while the team still has their young franchise QB on his rookie contract, allowing the franchise cap space to add talent around him before giving him a major payday where things will get trickier.
For Washington, this means surrounding Jayden Daniels with as much talent around him as possible as he’s coming off a historic Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign. The Commanders made several big moves over the offseason that should pay off in 2025. They kicked it off by trading for jack-of-all-trades WR Deebo Samuel from the 49ers, which gives OC Kliff Kingsbury a versatile weapon that can be utilized in multiple ways. Shortly after that move, Washington made a massive trade to acquire 5-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil.
Those are two massive upgrades on the offensive side of the ball for the Commanders. When the NFL Draft rolled around, they used their first round pick on Oregon tackle Josh Conerly Jr. who will play opposite of Tunsil at right tackle. They picked up Ole Miss CB Trey Amos in the second round, which adds another high-level starter on the defensive side of the ball. Later in the fourth round, the Commanders added speedy Virginia Tech WR Jaylin Lane, who can take the top off defenses while thriving on special teams.
All of these upgrades send a clear message to the rest of the NFL the Commanders are trying to win right now.
Obviously the elephant in the room is the contract dispute between star WR Terry McLaurin and the Commanders. McLaurin finished second in the NFL last season with 13 touchdowns and put together his 5th-straight 1,000-yard season. His chemistry with Daniels was obvious and it’s difficult to see the Commanders replicating last year’s offensive success without McLaurin on the roster in 2025. With roughly a month before the season is set to kick off, McLaurin and the Commanders have yet to agree on a contract extension and the star WR even officially requested a trade.
Still, all reports out of Washington expect a deal to get done and the Commanders aren’t planning to trade McLaurin according to multiple NFL sources.
Regardless, the uncertainty surrounding McLaurin has sparked speculation about the Washington Commanders adding another starting-caliber WR.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox predicts the Commanders will trade veteran WR Noah Brown and a 2027 third-round pick to the 49ers in exchange for WR Jauan Jennings.
Though the trade buzz surrounding San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings has died down some, it hasn't completely dissipated. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Jennings informed the 49ers in mid-July that he wanted a new contract or a trade. After a breakout 975-yard, six-touchdown campaign, the 49ers couldn't have been surprised.
Despite the request, Jennings reported to training camp. And while he is dealing with a lingering calf injury, he should interest receiver-needy teams.
Bleacher Report's Alex Kay examined four logical landing spots for Jennings after his request became public. The Washington Commanders weren't listed, possibly because they already traded for one 49ers receiver this offseason.
Even with Deebo Samuel now in Washington, though, the Commanders could have interest in Jennings. General manager Adam Peters came from San Francisco's front office, and Washington may have a need after Terry McLaurin officially requested a trade.
Hypothetically, a McLaurin-for-Jennings swap could work, but that feels unlikely, given McLaurin's desire for a new contract. San Francisco just paid Brandon Aiyuk last offseason and got out from under Samuel's contract earlier this year.
However, the Commanders could include Noah Brown, who racked up 453 yards in 11 games last season before suffering a lacerated kidney. He's entering a contract year but would help San Francisco replace Jennings.
