Commanders could sign Jerome Ford
With the Washington Commanders needing someone who can step in and provide immediate help, turning to someone already familiar with the setup may be the best path. That brings Jerome Ford under the microscope.
Ford joined the Commanders in free agency this offseason after falling behind Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson during his final season with the Cleveland Browns. Things didn't go well, mainly due to injuries, and he was eventually waived with an injury designation.
The Minnesota Vikings signed him to their practice squad, but released him soon after. Ford wasn't out of work for long, and he's currently on the Arizona Cardinals' practice squad waiting for his opportunity.
He is reportedly healthy now, too. Ford knows David Blough's scheme and the locker room culture, so the transition would be smooth. And with the Commanders needing help right now, he may be on their shortlist.
Commanders could sign Antonio Gibson
Another familiar face for Washington fans, still looking for a way back into the league, is Antonio Gibson. The dual-threat weapon left the Commanders in 2024 free agency for the New England Patriots, signing an eye-catching deal that general manager Adam Peters was never going to match during his first roster revamp.
Things looked promising for Gibson during his first season in New England. Unfortunately, injuries restricted him to just five games in 2025, and he was a salary-cap casualty this offseason.
Opportunities haven't been forthcoming since, so it'll be interesting to see if the Commanders consider this a viable option. But if Gibson is healthy and in good shape, they have far worse options.
Gibson is an explosive runner and a smooth route-runner out of the backfield. The Commanders wouldn't expect miracles, but this would give the offense some experienced relief if everything checks out on the health front.
Commanders could sign Khalil Herbert
Unlike most players on this list, Khalil Herbert has actually seen some regular-season action during the 2026 campaign. He's been called up twice from the Atlanta Falcons' practice squad, but another elevation would mean he needs to be signed to their 53-man roster.
That might be something the struggling NFC South club is reluctant to do. Therefore, the Commanders could make that decision for them by making him an offer.
Herbert is a pocket rocket. While he lacks the size and physicality to be a legitimate three-down force, he is a nice change-of-pace option who can also help on passing downs. This is similar to how the Commanders deploy Jeremy McNichols, so it could be a nice like-for-like possibility to consider.
The 2021 sixth-round pick out of Virginia Tech looked like a potential star earlier in his career with the Chicago Bears. Things have tailed off for Herbert since, but he could definitely help Washington in the short term.
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