Why the Washington Football Team should consider reuniting with Jamison Crowder

With the Washington Football Team in need of a great slot receiver, a rumor by ESPN reporter Rich Cimini presented an interesting option.

In an article published Feb. 15, Cimini discussed the contract of Jets wide receiver Jamison Crowder. Crowder is entering the final year of his contract with the New York Jets, which would create an $11.4 million cap charge for the team.

With the Jets firmly in a rebuild mode, and Crowder the most expensive cap hit on the roster, Cimini openly wondered if the Jets should move on from Crowder to create more financial flexibility. Because Crowder is entering the final season of his contract, his entire base contract amount would come off the Jets’ cap total. By trading or releasing Crowder, the Jets would save up to $10 million.

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Now, the Jets would be ill-advised to consider just the financials here. Crowder is the best wide receiver on their roster; a proven commodity in an offense that lacks proven commodities. His six touchdown catches led the team last year. Crowder also completed his first career pass, a 43-yard touchdown in a Week 16 victory over the Cleveland Browns.

In short, Crowder is an asset to the team, and from just a performance standpoint is unlikely to be dealt this offseason.

Why the Washington Football Team should pursue Jamison Crowder

However, if the Jets do make a move, the Washington Football Team must be prepared to reunite with their former slot receiver. Crowder played four seasons with Washington after being drafted in the fourth round in 2015, totaling 14 touchdowns and over 2,500 yards during that span.

Crowder’s best statistical season with Washington was 2016, where he caught a career-high seven touchdowns and tallied a career-high 847 yards. One season later, Crowder’s 789 receiving yards led the team.

Now entering his age-28 season, Crowder has not missed a beat during his time in New York. At his age, Crowder can remain productive and be an asset for a team like Washington that appears to be a couple of offensive pieces short of contending for deep playoff runs.

The key though is the price. Crowder should only be pursued as a free agent. While Crowder is clearly a top talent at the slot receiver spot, he is not worth trading assets for.

If the options are to either trade for Crowder or pursue another option, the Washington Football Team should look to the draft or free agency instead. In that scenario, the assets that Washington currently holds are either worth too little for the Jets or worth too much for Washington.

If Crowder winds up on the open market, Washington should certainly provide an offer. Crowder is good for about 60 catches and 700 yards per season, which would by default catapult him to the No. 2 spot on the wide receiver depth chart.

With a litany of elite-level wide receivers available in the 2021 free agency class, Crowder’s value will likely be comparatively low compared to an Allen Robinson or a Chris Godwin.

From a fan perspective, signing Crowder would be a win. He has remained popular since leaving Washington in 2019 and serves as a connection to the 2015-2017 Washington teams that contended for division titles and playoff berths.

While the Washington Football Team needs to be cautious to avoid overpaying him, a reunion with Jamison Crowder would finally fix the woes seen at the slot receiver spot and give the Washington offense a much-needed boost for whoever starts the season under center this September.