As the NFL kicked off the Wild Card Round of the playoffs, the Washington Commanders had no choice but to watch from the sidelines. Their sole aim is to strategically assemble the necessary components in the forthcoming offseason to secure their participation in the playoffs next year.
Thankfully, there were players from the four teams competing on Saturday who could potentially join the Commanders in their future endeavors, and there are even more to be expected. Based on the game, one particular upcoming free agent that Washington could focus on during the upcoming offseason is…
The Texans dominated the Browns, defeating them 45-14 and securing their spot in the Divisional Round. Dalton Schultz, who signed a one-year contract with Houston, made his playoff debut and contributed a crucial touchdown reception of 37 yards, extending the team’s lead by 10 points.
According to Spotrac, Schultz is estimated to obtain an annual salary of approximately $11 million in his upcoming contract based on his performance in the regular season, which included 59 catches, 635 yards, and five touchdowns.
Although the Texans advance to the Divisional Round, Cleveland’s magical journey with experienced quarterback Joe Flacco unfortunately ends, and they will now focus on the next season with a recovered Deshaun Watson.
As the Commanders work on rebuilding their team, relying solely on rookies would not be the best approach. The addition of some experienced veterans would greatly enhance the rebuilding process.
Although Smith may be older than most players, he would bring valuable leadership qualities and a proven track record of success to the team’s locker room.
Furthermore, if the Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator, Mike Macdonald, becomes the head coach in Washington, it could greatly benefit Smith’s performance as they already have a working relationship. This familiarity could greatly enhance Smith’s ability to make a significant impact on the team’s pass-rushing efforts in the upcoming season.
The expectation was that the extremely cold weather at Arrowhead Stadium would work in favor of the Chiefs, and it proved to be true. As a result, Kansas City will savor their 19-point victory against the Miami Dolphins while they await their next challenger. Edwards made a notable contribution to his team’s defense by participating in all 61 snaps during the game and managing to make two tackles and an interception.
The Chiefs intercepted Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the first quarter, during a one-score game and with just over three minutes remaining. Edwards, known for his ability to influence close games, was highly popular during his time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, the Buccaneers could not afford to keep him due to their financial constraints. The Commanders, on the other hand, do not have this problem and could gain advantages by signing Edwards to a multi-year contract in the upcoming offseason.
While it may seem ambitious, if Washington successfully attracts Adam Peters, a top executive from the San Francisco 49ers, perhaps they can also attract the best defensive lineman of this year, despite his strong ties to his current team.
After their loss to the Chiefs on Saturday, Wilkins described the Dolphins organization as his home. However, Miami is currently dealing with a challenging financial situation and may not have the resources to retain all their players. Additionally, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is anticipated to seek a new contract to avoid relying solely on his fifth-year option in 2024.
If Wilkins doesn’t feel supported by the Dolphins this offseason, the Commanders have the means to assist him in finding a new team. Wilkins recorded three tackles during Saturday’s game.
Leave a Reply