The Washington Commanders are in a profitable position heading into the offseason. They are an attractive destination and boast substantial resources to strengthen the ranks. General manager Adam Peters has a lot of hard work ahead, but things couldn't look more positive right now.
Adding to the weapons around Jayden Daniels should be high on Peters' list of priorities. The quarterback worked miracles with the supporting cast at his disposal during one of the greatest rookie campaigns in NFL history. If the Commanders get more productive pieces to put alongside Terry McLaurin in the wide receiver room, it won't take much longer for progress to arrive.
Adding a marquee name via trade or free agency is something to consider. Tee Higgins' name continues to come up despite the Cincinnati Bengals wanting to keep the prolific pass-catcher around. Given their need to also pay Ja'Marr Chase, it remains to be seen whether they can pull it off.
Latest Tee Higgins contract update should put Commanders on high alert
This was a sentiment echoed by Cincinnati's director of player personnel Duke Tobin. He wants to keep Higgins, but he also acknowledged it would be difficult unless a compromise is reached with the player's representatives.
"It's going to be hard. I've always been very upfront in my desire to have Tee Higgins on our team. I've never not been upfront about that, and that desire continues, but we have to be able to come together with his representation on what that means and what the right number is for his experience, for his play time, for his production."Duke Tobin via Cincinnati Enquirer
Higgins knows he will command significant interest and a potential bidding war for his services in free agency. That strengthens his position during negotiations, although leaving quarterback Joe Burrow behind would be difficult.
If that was for someone who entered the elite category right out of the gate such as Daniels, it's a different story.
Jordan Dajani from CBS Sports held a similar belief. The NFL analyst thought the Commanders should prioritize signing Higgins above all else if he tests the market. Something that could benefit McLaurin and potentially take Daniels into a completely different stratosphere.
"The Commanders have plenty of work to do on the defensive side of the ball this offseason, but they also can't run it back with what they have at wide receiver. Jayden Daniels needs someone other than Terry McLaurin to throw the ball to, and Tee Higgins is arguably the top free agent in this entire class. The 26-year-old caught a career-high 10 touchdowns this past season in just 12 games played."Jordan Dajani
Washington will examine Higgins' credentials closely. They'll have a price in mind but the expected interest from others makes this far from a done deal if Peters identifies him as a target.
There are other needs to fill and 30 free agents to make decisions on first. But if there is enough room for Peters to make a big slash like this, the front-office leader won't hesitate to pull the trigger.
Peters needs to maximize the next two years before Daniels becomes extension-eligible. That contract could potentially be record-breaking if he builds on a sensational first season. Washington's window is officially open sooner than expected. Capitalizing on it is imperative.
Higgins is a difference-maker in every sense of the term. Whether it's something the Commanders have an interest in or can pull off is another matter.
