The Washington Commanders were linked to multiple free agents at position of needs, while an intriguing wide receiver option could become available over the next month.
With the rumor mill in full swing, the offseason in full swing and a laundry list of needs for the Washington Commanders, the latest rumors ahead of free agency and the NFL Draft with multiple free agents linked to the team along with a potentially intriguing wide receiver to be available:
Intriguing possible roster cut as a fit in Washington
With the franchise tag window officially open, the rumor mill has continued around the league with rumblings about possible late movers - or returners. That includes Indianapolis, where they have an intriguing question to answer at wide receiver.
Alec Pierce is set to become an unrestricted free agent, though the Colts have a chance to apply the franchise tag on the breakout wideout. That appears unlikely with reports that a new contract could be more likely for Pierce. But that could pose other questions for the room with The Athletic pointing to Michael Pittman as a roster cut candidate.
Pittman, a former second round pick out of USC, is coming off his fourth NFL season in five years with at least 80 catches, while his seven receiving touchdowns marked a new career-high in year six in the NFL. With a glaring need at wide receiver, Washington could emerge as an intriguing hit for Pittman, who would leave Indianapolis despite a $29 million cap hit.
Whether a cut materializes for Pittman is another question with other teams possibly looking to work out a trade.
Two more free agency predictions
The Commanders were projected as a team capable of pulling off "fireworks" this offseason given the cap flexibility with the team linked to two players ranked inside ESPN's top 50 available free agents this offseason.
Former Green Bay linebacker Quay Walker, ranked the 13th best player, is the latest player linked to Washington given veteran Bobby Wagner is set to hit the open market and has been rumored to return to the West Coast, possibly even a reunion with Seattle. Walker, meanwhile, would add a playmaker to the front seven after registering a career-high 128 tackles in 2025 - also his fourth consecutive season with at least 100 tackles.
But Walker was the first of two with former Baltimore tight end Isaiah Likely in line for an expanded role elsewhere as he was once again linked to the Commanders, filling an obvious need as an obvious fit.
Likely has had to spend time next to or behind Mark Andrews, limiting his production to 135 catches for 1,568 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns. Imagine if he had Andrews' reps. He'd get a chance to do exactly that in Washington, though he's proven to be the latest tight end linked to Washington after another veteran became available last week.
Veteran TE to watch?
After news of tight end David Njoku announcing his time in Cleveland Browns has come to an end after nine seasons, the former first round pick is now expected to hit the open market where he'll have an intriguing list of teams looking to add experience to the tight end room. The Atlanta Falcons are an intriguing team to watch over the next two months given they'll first have to make a decision on tight end Kyle Pitts, a prime franchise tag candidate, but they were also a team linked to Njoku as a potential fit. But so was Washington.
The Commanders were one of three NFC East teams mentioned by CBS Sports alongside the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers joined Atlanta as a possible suitor given Cade Otton is also set to hit free agency as part of a deep unit this offseason.
Washington has made clear that upgrading the tight end room is a focus this offseason with a need to add a pass catcher and veteran Zach Ertz set to hit free agency with the expectation that he is unavailable to start the 2026 season.