NFL insider reveals shocking report that Commanders nearly landed All-Pro free agent, but avoided disaster

The Commanders’ aggressive approach this offseason continued after they pursued the top free agent on the market.

Josh Taylor — Washington Commanders News Writer
Add as preferred source on Google
© Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images

The Washington Commanders have been aggressive in free agency, but they’ve missed on a lot of top players on the market.

It would’ve been nice to land Alec Pierce or Romeo Doubs after finishing second, but not every miss is a loss. The Commanders were making a strong push for a top free agent that shook the NFL offseason, but they came up short.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler says the Commanders were in on All-Pro Trey Hendrickson before he signed with the Baltimore Ravens, but it wasn’t a real loss after seeing the details.

Commanders swung big for Trey Hendrickson, but came up short

The Commanders made a massive splash after signing Odafe Oweh to a four-year, $100 million contract, but they weren’t done there. General manager Adam Peters took another swing at the biggest name in free agency, checked in on Hendrickson’s market, and was “very aggressive”, according to ESPN’s John Keim.

Hendrickson decided to sign with the Baltimore Ravens on a four-year, $20 million contract after they backed out of their trade for Maxx Crosby. Knowing how much he signed for eased the pain by a lot, and I’m more than ok with the Commanders not agreeing to pay that much. The Commanders then pivoted this morning and signed pass rusher K’Lavon Chaisson to a one-year, $12 million deal.

The Commanders could’ve been set back after signing Trey Hendrickson

Of course, landing Hendrickson in addition to Oweh would’ve given the Commanders their best defensive line of my lifetime, and the sack production would’ve been through the roof. That would’ve been $220 million invested in just two players at the same position, and one comes with a lot of risk.

Hendrickson is an elite pass rusher, but 2025 was a reality check after the 31-year-old suffered a core muscle injury in Week 6, which required surgery in December. The All-Pro was held to just four sacks in seven games and would’ve been a risk for the Commanders. Their roster isn’t built to survive a massive injury, as we saw last year, especially when that player is making $120 million.

Signing Hendrickson to a two-year deal would’ve played well for their circumstances, but Hendrickson wanted a long-term deal and the most money possible. The Ravens were in a position to do that with their roster, while the Commanders continue to build their young foundation.

Related Articles