Commanders’ instant success cost them an opportunity to sign four-time Pro Bowler, but it’s not a bad thing in hindsight
I wasn’t expecting to hear this about the Commanders.
Well, I never thought I’d say this in my lifetime, but the Washington Commanders were too good for one free agent who could’ve filled a big need this offseason.
The Commanders were linked to every big-name defensive end in free agency, and it surprised everyone when they didn’t sign a single one. They did have interest in a few, and one almost signed with the Commanders, but Demarcus Lawrence says he didn’t want to jump on the bandwagon, and that’s ok.
Lawrence’s decision
There were rumors about which free agents the Commanders actually had interest in, and of course, Dan Quinn wanted to be reunited with Lawrence, but he chose the Seattle Seahawks instead. Lawrence went on “The Pivot” podcast and explained why the Commanders were too good for him to join.
Now, of course, the Seahawks offered Lawrence a three-year deal, and the Commanders reportedly only wanted to offer him a one-year contract, so the financials of the situation make more sense than the team being too good. Why wouldn’t he want to rejoin Quinn and former teammate Dorance Armstrong whom he played his best with?
Looking back at it, the Commanders may have made a better decision with the alternative routes they took when Lawrence picked the Seahawks instead. There was one red flag the Commanders may have avoided.
The Commanders had to pivot….
Lawrence could’ve filled a major need for the Commanders, but he was also coming off a season-ending injury, and would’ve been a major gamble to sign. He only played in four games last season before he suffered a Lisfranc foot injury. The defense still needed help on the line, and they made some low-risk moves to help out that might have a bigger impact than expected.
The Commanders signed veteran Deatrich Wise in free agency on a one-year contract worth only $3.25 million, and he can be the starter on the edge on early downs. Wise will stop the run more effectively than Dante Fowler Jr did last season, but the team still needed someone to rush the QB as well. Wise can get in the backfield, but the Commanders wanted some specialists.
Jacob Martin signed with the team on a one-year deal worth $2.58 million, and Von Miller joined months later as the team started training camp. The pass-rushing unit has impressed in camp, and the starters and rotational players shone in preseason.
The Commanders’ defense as a whole looks much improved, and Peters’ budget spending may have just paid off instead of throwing a risky bag at Lawrence.
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