The Washington Commanders have been linked to veteran wide receiver Mike Evans, but does he really make sense this offseason?
The legal tampering window will kick off in five days with a chance for general manager Adam Peters and the front office to add several impact pieces to the Washington Commanders on both offense and defense. The last few days have signaled the end of some hopeful free agent targets after the Jets applied the franchise tag to running back Breece Hall while the Cowboys' decision to tag wide receiver George Pickens will reset the free agent market. While the status of Alec Pierce's availability remains unclear following yesterday's franchise tag deadline, Washington could be in the mix for another veteran star wide receiver.
Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reported on Wednesday morning that the Washington Commanders are on the shortlist for veteran wide receiver Mike Evans, noting the Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Chargers, San Francisco 49ers and New York Giants as other teams to keep an eye on.
Jones also reported that Evans "may aim for something close to $25 million per year" while noting that $20 million per year and a two-year deal. And it's a realistic price tag for a player who, despite being one of the oldest available players at his position, enters free agency as both the most accomplished and arguably the best player among the candidates.
But he might not make sense for Washington's plan to get back to the playoffs.
Does Evans add a difference maker at a position of need? No doubt. But does that make Evans a realistic candidate to sign with Washington in free agency? That's up for debate.
Injuries have, at times, limited Evans during his 12 year NFL career after playing in just eight games in 2025 due to a broken collarbone and hamstring injury, amassing just 368 yards for three touchdowns on 30 catches. But maybe more impressive is it marked the first time in his career that he didn't record at least 1,000 receiving yards, while Evans has notched at least ten touchdowns in six seasons.
But with a contract that pays at least $20 million, whether it makes sense for Washington to have over $50 million in cap space tied to a pair of receivers older than 30 in Evans and Terry McLaurin is its own debate.
The other teams mentioned have a clear void at WR1 with the Keon Coleman experience in Buffalo likely over, the 49ers looking to upgrade the talent at the skill positions and the Chargers looking for a complement to Ladd McConkey. The Giants return Malik Nabers for year three, but how he looks after suffering a torn ACL is a question with offseason reporting pointing to the LSU product being behind in his recovery process and a hope he's ready for training camp.
Add in the fact that Washington is expected to make McLaurin a focal point of the passing attack, whether Evans views Washington as the best fit in a WR2 role makes it complex. Of course, whether Evans ultimately signs with a team not named the Tampa Bay Buccaneers may be the biggest storyline for the future Hall of Fame receiver with all eyes on whether a divorce will actually materialize.
Washington, meanwhile, has a hole to fill in the room with Deebo Samuel set to hit free agency with the expectation that he lands elsewhere with some pointing to the Chargers as a potential suitor.
Alec Pierce has now emerged as a more likely target for Washington following news that he will enter free agency the Colts electing to use the franchise tag on quarterback Daniel Jones.
"I love Indy, I've loved playing there, great organization, great people in the city, just a ton of support. I know we haven't been as good as we could be and I know we can be, but at this point, I've kind of earned the right to explore free agency, see what's out there," Pierce said on the Up and Adams Show on Wednesday. If Washington does opt to commit to $20 million on another wide receiver, then Pierce might be the better fit alongside McLaurin where he adds to the downfield threat that is expected to be featured in new coordinator David Blough's offense.
Jauan Jennings, Rashid Shaheed and Christian Kirk could be among the free agents who fit the profile Washington is looking for, while Brandon Aiyuk could shape up as the obvious free agent target after months of speculation and news that he could end up being released by the 49ers to end what has proven to be a messy divorce over the last year.