The Washington Commanders are going all guns blazing into the 2025 offseason. They are armed with salary-cap space, seven draft picks, and a bolstered reputation in league circles. Capitalizing on this newfound momentum is Adam Peters' biggest priority in the coming months.
The general manager is going to be aggressive. Nothing is off the table and the Commanders are an attractive destination once again. Fans are dreaming of marquee additions in free agency and perhaps another bold trade for someone like All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett.
If Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has his way, any potential pursuit of wide receiver Tee Higgins will end before it begins.
Burrow's made no secret of his desire to keep Higgins, who's a pending free agent and arguably the top option regardless of position if he hits the market. The Commanders need another prolific playmaker opposite Terry McLaurin and boast enough salary-cap space to get something done.
That won't be easy. There will be a queue of suitors looking to snap up Higgins if a new deal cannot be agreed with the Bengals. This could end up in a bidding war that potentially gets the former Clemson standout around $30 million per season when it's all said and done.
Joe Burrow looking to end Commanders (and everyone else's) hopes of landing Tee Higgins
Burrow is hoping it doesn't come to that. He's putting public pressure on the higher-ups in Cincinnati to keep everyone together. That means extending not only Higgins but also edge rusher Trey Hendrickson and Triple Crown receiver Ja'Marr Chase. He also declared a willingness to restructure his contract to make it happen.
I do. I do. We have the cap space to get it done. I want to make it happen. Everybody involved Trey, Tee, Ja’Marr, Mike G, we all want to stay together. When you have guys that are motivated like that I think you can get those things done.Joe Burrow
The Bengals aren't exactly known for their big spending. At the same time, ownership cannot fumble the significant opportunity in front of them with Burrow and a wealth of gifted playmakers on both sides of the football. If there is a willingness from all parties, that's a solid place to begin discussions.
Spending lavish sums on Higgins might not be on Peters' mind, in any case. The Commanders have a long-term plan for sustainable growth. There is an urgent need to maximize Jayden Daniels' rookie contract, so it's a fine line between aggressiveness, calculated risks, and strategic planning for the future.
Washington will have dozens of potential options via free agency or the draft. They could stick with what they have and hope players like Dyami Brown and Noah Brown develop. That wouldn't be the most encouraging development from a fan perspective, but Peters will do what he thinks is right.
Burrow holds more weight than anyone in Cincinnati. The Bengals weren't that far away this season, recovering from yet another slow start to narrowly miss the playoffs. He believes continuity and sound draft investment could be enough to enter the Super Bowl picture once again. And he's not afraid to turn up the heat on the front office to get what he wants.
It's a wait-and-see scenario for the Commanders and everyone else. But make no mistake, Peters will have contingency plans in place for every eventuality.
