Percy Butler - Commanders S
Most thought Percy Butler would be a salary-cap cut candidate this offseason if the necessary upgrades were found. That's not the case anymore.
Butler came in for significant praise during the Washington Commanders' offseason workout program. Head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. commended the safety for making strides on the field and as a leader. If the same trend continues over camp, he'll likely have a similar role entering the final year of his deal.
The Commanders replaced Jeremy Chinn with Will Harris, but that was about it regarding safety enhancements. That could change before Week 1 against the New York Giants arrives, so it'll be interesting to see if the likes of Butler can convince the coaching staff to run it back.
There are higher stakes attached to Butler's performance levels than most. He's a dependable special-teams contributor but has struggled on the defensive rotation when opportunities came his way. Unless the Commanders are suitably impressed by his progress when he gets a chance, the former fourth-round pick might not get another new deal from the franchise.
Butler is fighting back after being deemed a lost cause. But make no mistake, the next few months will ultimately determine whether he gets another commitment.
Noah Brown - Commanders WR
Noah Brown is a tremendous asset for the Commanders' passing game to call upon when fit and firing on all cylinders. But unless the wide receiver can stay healthy, this could be his final year in Washington.
Brown slotted in extremely well after arriving late last summer. The Commanders scooped up the veteran pass-catcher after he failed to make the Houston Texans' squad. After getting a couple of weeks to adjust, he became a useful deep threat thanks to his shrewd route-running and ability to create defensive pass interference penalties.
The Commanders kept faith with Brown despite suffering an internal issue that required kidney surgery. That was the right call, but seeing the former Ohio State standout get carted off during Washington's mandatory minicamp highlighted how precarious his situation is.
One would have thought that Brown's injury prognosis would have been revealed by now if it were anything serious. That bodes well for his chances of hitting the ground running in 2025, but his future beyond the upcoming campaign remains under a cloud.
Washington has plenty of competition in the receiver room, which is only going to assist quarterback sensation Jayden Daniels. Brown is a lock to make the team, but he'll need to stay ahead of players like Luke McCaffrey and Jaylin Lane to get another deal.