Commanders predicted to sign former $4.4 million Raiders starter in free agency

Could Washington’s front office be on the verge of a coup? Sources now predict the Commanders will ink veteran defensive lineman Solomon Thomas—a former Las Vegas Raider who earned $4.4 million last season—as they look to bolster their interior rush in free agency.

After a 12-5 surge in 2024 behind Jayden Daniels’ breakout year, the Commanders quietly identified their Achilles’ heel: a lack of consistent pressure up the middle. Despite trading for Javon Kinlaw and investing high draft capital in Josh Conerly Jr., Washington still finished outside the league’s top 15 in sacks from the interior line. Enter Solomon Thomas—a coveted veteran who started 12 games for the Raiders in 2023 on a one-year, $4.4 million deal.

Originally the No. 3 overall pick back in 2017, Thomas has been seeking a career renaissance after bouncing from San Francisco to Vegas. In Silver and Black, he recorded 3.5 sacks and 22 pressures, flashes that reminded some of his first-round promise. While durability concerns dogged him in recent years, the 27-year-old still boasts the length, hand technique, and snap-quickness that made him a household name in the Bay Area.

Commanders defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio, whose scheme thrives on athletic linemen who can shoot gaps, reportedly sees Thomas as a perfect fit. “He’s got the first-step explosion and the bend we covet,” Del Rio told local media. “Even on downs where his rush doesn’t finish, he collapses the pocket and creates chaos for the quarterback.” Washington insiders believe pairing Thomas with Kinlaw and fellow free-agent pickup Jonathan Jones would instantly elevate their pass-rush ranking.

Analysts agree this represents serious value. Pro Football Focus graded Thomas as a mid-tier starter last season, noting his ability to draw double teams and force quick throws from veteran QBs — exactly the kind of disruption the Commanders lacked in clutch moments down the stretch. “For cap-controlled money, adding Thomas is a steal,” one PFF report read. “His presence alone will force opponents to game-plan with two-man fronts, opening lanes for edge rushers.”

Financially, the move makes sense: Expect a one-year, “prove-it” contract worth roughly $3 million with incentives that could push the deal north of $5 million. That structure allows Washington to hedge against injury risk while maintaining flexibility under a cap projected to tighten in 2026. If Thomas reclaims his early-career form, he’s an affordable asset whose price tag could skyrocket next spring.

On the roster, Thomas would compete directly with third-year man Josh Conerly Jr., whose rookie season impressed but failed to translate into consistent second-half pressure. It also sends a message to younger tackles like Jay Toia and Tommy Akingbesote that the franchise demands performance under fire. Training camp battles are set to be fierce, and Thomas’ reputation as a high-work-ethic locker-room presence could tip the scales in his favor.

This anticipated signing marks a departure from Washington’s recent draft-heavy approach to rebuilding the trenches. Instead of banking solely on rookie upside, the Commanders are doubling down on proven talent to thread the needle between veteran savvy and youthful exuberance. If Thomas can stay healthy and recapture that first-step quickness, Washington’s defensive line could become one of the league’s most feared units in 2025.

Keep an eye on this front: when free agency officially begins, look for Thomas’ highlight tape to dominate highlight reels and for Commanders fans to embrace their newest pass-rush weapon. If all goes according to plan, this late-winter steal could be the catalyst that sends Washington back to the promised land.