The Washington Commanders are gearing up for another run at the Super Bowl in 2025 after their improbable showing in 2024.
However, the defense might actually be in a worse spot than it was last season after the departure of the team's 2024 sacks leader, Dante Fowler Jr., in free agency.
General manager Adam Peters hasn't done an adequate job replacing Fowler, which leaves the team with a massive hole along the edge. If the Commanders do nothing, their Super Bowl chances will take a serious hit.
With the Commanders going for it thanks to the emergence of Jayden Daniels, the team should have its eye on Pittsburgh Steelers star edge rusher T.J. Watt, who is currently in a contract dispute with his own team.
If nothing changes and Watt continues to hold out, there stands at least a slim chance he gets traded.
If that happens, Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski wants to see the Commanders throw a package at the Steelers that includes a 2026 first-round pick and two 2027 draft picks, with one in the second round, and another in the third round.
They have a franchise quarterback in place under a rookie contract. Jayden Daniels isn't going to see top-of-the-market money for another five years. This point is exactly when the Commanders need to go all-in and capitalize on that financial advantage.
The fact that Washington lacks a true-blue pass-rusher makes a potential move for Watt even more of a necessity.
That is quite the hefty package, but that's what it might take to pry Watt from the Steelers, as reports suggest the team has zero interest in trading him.
But as we've seen time and time again, never say never in today's NFL.
Things are not going well in contracts talks between the two sides, according to multiple reports, and there doesn't appear to be any willingness to budge from Pittsburgh or Watt.
"Here’s what the disconnect is,” CBS Sports' Aditi Kinkhabwala said on 93.7 The Fan. “And this is what happened the last time around in these negotiations. T.J. Watt was openly told, ‘You’re fortunate to be a Steeler.’ And his response was, ‘You’re fortunate to have me.'"
If the Steelers put their best defender on the block and the Commanders throw a package of picks like Sobleski's suggestion at Pittsburgh, Watt could end up in Washington, and the Commanders' Super Bowl chances would increase.
