Recent report reveals position Commanders will heavily target this offseason, which also means bad news for one veteran
Commanders will look to add a new tight end this offseason, with the option of moving on from Zach Ertz for a free agent like Kyle Pitts.
The Washington Commanders have a busy offseason ahead after a disappointing 2025 season, and they need to change their approach.
After making changes at both coordinators spots, the Commanders can focus on improving the roster through free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft. The Commanders have a lot of holes on their roster and need an upgrade on both sides of the ball. Getting quarterback Jayden Daniels more help on offense should be high on the list, and it sounds like it is.
ESPN’s latest report says the Commanders plan to upgrade the tight end room and will have plenty of options.
The Commanders need a new starting tight end this offseason
The Commanders’ defense needs the most help this offseason, but Daniels also needs more weapons to throw to as well. They will be linked to multiple wide receivers, including Brandon Aiyuk, but that’s not the only position they’re focused on.
ESPN’s John Keim reports that he expects the Commanders to look for a new pass catcher at tight end, which means Zach Ertz could likely be out after tearing his ACL.
Even as a veteran, Ertz was a key target for Daniels, and he had 116 catches for 1,158 yards and 11 touchdowns in two seasons with the Commanders. General manager Adam Peters stated that the team will look to get younger and faster on the roster, which doesn’t bode well for Ertz. The Commanders will have plenty of opportunities this offseason, and they need to decide who they want to pursue.
Tight end targets for the Commanders
The Commanders absolutely need to get younger, and the free agent class for tight ends provides some younger options. They still have Ben Sinnott and John Bates, but the Commanders need a verified receiving option to fill in for Ertz’s production in the passing game.
Here’s a look at the top-three options for the Commanders in free agency.
Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts is hitting free agency at just 25 years old. Pitts has a whole new regime taking over in Atlanta, so there will be questions about whether they want to pay him the big contract he’s projected to receive.
If not, the Commanders will have plenty of salary cap space to add Pitts, who finished his career-best year in 2025 strong with almost 1,000 receiving yards on 88 catches and five touchdowns with it.
Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens decided to pay Mark Andrews, which means Isaiah Likely could be on his way out. That’s great news for the Commanders, who could use the 25-year-old tight end who still has plenty of talent to tap into in his young career.
The numbers weren’t pretty for Likely in 2025, with only 27 catches for 307 yards, but he had an injury to start the season that forced him to miss time, and that’s when Andrews took over again.
The talent is absolutely there for Likely, and pairing him with Daniels would be a great combo to stretch the field and make explosive plays.
Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles
Dallas Goedert could become the next Philadelphia Eagle tight end to come to Washington, and actually replace Ertz again. Goedert was a steady producer in the passing game for the Eagles with 60 catches for 591 yards and a career-high 11 touchdowns in 2025.
Goedert isn’t the youngest option on the market, like Pitts and Likely, but he’s still producing at a high level, having just turned 31. Daniels needs reliability, and Goedert might be the most consistent option of the three tight ends this offseason.
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