One analyst pointed to former Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson as the ideal free agent target, but does he really hit fit the profile of what the Washington Commanders need?
Should the Commanders sign Hendrickson to deal $25 million or more per year?
The legal tampering window in free agency is officially less than one week away with the acquisition phase of the offseason nearly here for the Washington Commanders, marking easily the most pivotal offseason for general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn through their three years with the organization.
With the NFL officially setting the salary cap last week, Washington enters March leading all NFC teams and ranked fifth in the league in cap space with over $71 million available - prior to a decision surrounding cornerback Marshon Lattimore. But one analyst predicted Washington to spend a chunk of that cap space on a veteran edge rusher in free agency.
Aaron Schatz of ESPN pointed to the Commanders as the team he expects to sign veteran edge rusher Trey Hendrickson. The obvious need to upgrade the position this offseason is obvious after general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn have repeatedly reiterated the need to add another pass rusher this offseason, one of the reasons why Schatz sees Washington as the fit. While Washington also has cap space to add Hendrickson, who is projected to sign a two year, $50.9 million contract per Spotrac, Schatz also pointed to Washington as a playoff contender as a reason why.
"They also hit the second qualifier with the sixth-most cap space, per Roster Management System. And you might not think of them as legitimate playoff contenders, but they are only one season removed from appearing in the NFC Championship Game," Schatz wrote. "I think coach Dan Quinn will need to try his hardest to convince Hendrickson to come in and help improve the struggling Washington pass rush."
But the biggest question is if he really does fit the bill for a Commander team who just finished 2025 as one of the oldest teams in the league. Add in a core muscle surgery that limited the 31 year old to just seven games, it marks a question whether he's actually a top target. Hendrickson was named a first team All Pro in 2025 after posting an NFL-leading 17.5 sacks, matching his 2023 total, after posting 14 in his first season in Cincinnati in 2021. While Spotrac pointed to a two year, $50.9 million contract, The Athletic pointed to a three year, $99 million contract. Is that the right management of resources for a team that needs multiple starters?
Former Ravens and Chargers edge rusher Odafe Oweh has been a repeated target mentioned among the fanbase while former Patriots edge rusher K'Lavon Chaisson is another who is a perfect fit in the defense under edge rusher in Daronte Jones defense. Both are also 27 and 26 years old, four and five years younger than Hendrickson, to match what Adam Peters initially said he's looking for: youth and speed.
With a long list of needs and several impact free agents, time will tell whether the Commanders are able to pull the trigger quickly on an impact free agent signing, but it's clear there's a focus to add more playmakers on both sides of the ball. Whether adding a veteran like Hendrickson at his price tag begs the question whether that's the right move for a defense that needs to add youth.