The cause for this transition has been a new coaching staff and front office, but most importantly, a new quarterback in Jayden Daniels, a rookie phenom and 2024 No. 2 choice.
While the Commanders can consider 2024 a success if they make the playoffs, which they are still in a position to do, moving forward, Daniels will need more reliable people to throw the ball to, which Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder believes they can solve by signing free agent wide receiver Chris Godwin from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“Godwin will be one of the most recognizable names on the open market and has plenty of experience being a productive No. 2 after playing alongside Mike Evans in Tampa Bay his entire career,” Holder wrote on Sunday, December 2. “The 28-year-old who turns 29 in February has racked up 7,266 yards and 39 touchdowns in his career.”
Godwin is out for the season after sustaining a severe dislocated ankle in a Week 7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, but he is expected to return healthy in 2025. He is also in the final season of a three-year, $60 million contract inked prior to the 2022 season.
Godwin One of the NFL’s most dependable receivers
Before his injury, Godwin was on course to have the best season of his career, leading the Buccaneers and ranking third in the NFL with 50 receptions for 576 yards and five touchdowns.
Godwin was also on track for his fourth consecutive season with at least 1,000 receiving yards. He set a career best of 1,333 receiving yards in 2019, when he was named NFL All-Pro and selected to the Pro Bowl.
If Godwin fully recovers, his play in 2024 might have significantly enhanced his value as a free agent – Spotrac estimates his market value to be in the area of a three-year contract worth $70.3 million.
Commanders Do Not Have Reliable WR2 Option
The Commanders might use that vast cap room to sign a free agent who could make McLaurin WR2, WR1A, or WR1B. Tee Higgins, Stefon Diggs, Amari Cooper, and Diontae Johnson are all set to become free agents, with Higgins expected to be the most sought after. The Commanders could potentially try to make a trade for a top wide receiver or use their 2025 first-round choice on a wide receiver or a top college tight end.
While McLaurin is having another fantastic season, as he has done regardless of quarterback throughout his career, the rest of the offence has been a patchwork of individuals receiving Daniels’ passes.
With four games remaining in the season, McLaurin has 61 receptions for 896 yards and a career-high nine touchdowns. With a good end to the season, McLaurin is projected to surpass his career highs in receptions (87 in 2020) and receiving yards (1,191 in 2022).
After McLaurin, Daniels found success with tight end Zach Ertz (52 catches, 501 yards, 4 touchdowns) and wide receiver Noah Brown (35 receptions, 453 yards, 1 score), while running backs Austin Ekeler and Brian Robinson combined for 45 receptions and 451 yards.
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