NFL rumors: Insider boldly predicts Washington Commanders will acquire former Defensive Player of the Year player, but it’s not Myles Garrett
The Washington Commanders haven’t been resting on their laurels following their stunning run to the NFC Championship Game. They’ve already made waves this offseason, and they might not be done yet.
Their trade for former All-Pro wide receiver Deebo Samuel gives reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels another playmaker to pair with Terry McLaurin, potentially transforming Washington’s aerial attack. But while the offense gets supercharged, the defensive front is facing a serious overhaul.
Washington still boasts a whopping $64.2 million in cap space according to OverTheCap.com, but they’re staring down significant defensive departures. Edge rushers Clelin Ferrell (3.5 sacks in 2024) and Dante Fowler Jr. (10.5 sacks in 2024) hit free agency, leaving major holes in their pass rush. Further complicating matters, two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, who was limited to just eight games last season with a torn pectoral muscle, has formally requested a trade.
If the Commanders can’t find a suitable trade partner for Allen, they’ll likely release him — a move that would free up an additional $16.47 million in cap space.
With Washington potentially needing to rebuild their defensive front almost from scratch, one NFL insider believes the Commanders are poised to land a former Defensive Player of the Year. No, it’s not Myles Garrett — the Cleveland Browns have emphatically stated he’s not available — but someone who would be a good fit for Dan Quinn’s defense.
Insider predicts Washington Commanders will sign nine-time Pro Bowler
ESPN’s Jason Reid predicts the Commanders will make a major splash by signing future Hall of Fame edge rusher Khalil Mack. The three-time first-team All-Pro made his ninth Pro Bowl in 2024, despite his production dipping from his dominant 2023 campaign.
Mack’s numbers did regress — from 17 sacks to six, 74 total tackles to 39, and 21 tackles for loss to six — but Reid sees the veteran as a perfect addition to Washington’s defensive scheme.
“A free agent for the first time in his career, Mack is a nine-time Pro Bowler, a four-time All-Pro (including three first-team selections) and was the 2016 Defensive Player of the Year,” Reid wrote. “Granted, Mack, who turned 34 on Feb. 22, isn’t the dominant game changer he once was, but he’s still capable of providing consistent pressure. And he would be a good fit in the aggressive defensive scheme that Commanders coach Dan Quinn utilizes.”
The fit makes perfect sense when you look at Washington’s defensive profile in 2024. The Commanders finished a respectable 13th in yards allowed per game (327.9), an impressive third in passing yards allowed per game (189.5), and middle-of-the-pack 18th in points allowed per game (23.0). Their glaring weakness? A porous run defense that ranked 30th, surrendering a staggering 137.5 rushing yards per game.
Adding the 34-year-old Mack would immediately bolster their pass rush and provide veteran leadership to a transforming front seven. However, even a player of Mack’s caliber can’t single-handedly fix Washington’s defensive issues — they’ll need to make several more strategic additions to truly solidify their defensive front and capitalize on their championship window while Daniels remains on his rookie contract.
