The Washington Commanders have outlined a desire to reward those who proved their worth last season. Veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner was the first major retention before free agency. There will be others coming heading into the legal tampering window.
Wagner more than earned another deal. Zach Ertz's career renaissance should be enough for the Pro Bowl tight end to get a short-term commitment from the Commanders to see if there's more in the tank. Standout safety Jeremy Chinn could be looking for a longer-term commitment after resurrecting his fortunes under Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr.
Chinn became an afterthought with the Carolina Panthers in 2023 after defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero had no use for him within his 3-4 base schematic concepts. He silenced his doubters last season, becoming a key cog for Whitt's unit en route to 117 tackles and some outstanding plays in critical moments.
The former second-round pick out of Southern Illinois is young enough to be classed as a long-term cornerstone piece. Chinn brings the explosiveness and physicality Quinn normally looks for in his defensive backs. Much will depend on the finances involved, but a recent update suggests things could get resolved before it becomes more complicated.
Commanders insider expects Jeremy Chinn to sign long-term extension in free agency
John Keim from ESPN revealed that the Commanders would like to have Chinn back if the money is right. The team insider also hinted that the versatile defensive weapon could get a lengthier deal than most, although the safety free-agent market is notoriously difficult to predict.
Jeremy Chinn could be a little more of an interesting one. Safety is always an interesting one in free agency, I'm not sure what he's going to command, but you look at Kam Curl last year, people were throwing out crazy numbers and he didn't even come close to that. So what will Jeremy Chinn get? And he's a really good fit in this defense. Size gives him the ability to play the hybrid spot. I could see him getting a multi-year deal. It definitely sounds like they would like him back.John Keim
Chinn is a difference-maker with the attitude that slotted into Quinn's culture shift seamlessly. His partnership on the backend with fellow second-rounder Quan Martin could flourish further over time. Big changes are coming to the playing personnel this offseason, but keeping continuity is also an important part of the team's strategy.
The Commanders took a chance on Chinn. He signed a one-year, prove-it deal with the promise of more if the production matched. In that sense, he ticked the boxes and more.
This is an exciting project to be part of and a tremendous fit for Chinn. If Keim's report is accurate and the Commanders want to keep him around, it shouldn't be much longer before common ground is reached.
Leaving it any later could see Chinn get interest on the open market. The legal tampering window starts on Monday ahead of the new league year beginning on March 12. Looking at his production last season and the athletic upside to progress in all phases, it would be a surprise if another offer or two didn't arrive from elsewhere.
Time will tell on that one, but the signs Chinn will be part of the Commanders' plans for the future are promising.
