The Washington Commanders were hanging by a thread heading into their Sunday Night Football clash with the Philadelphia Eagles. Fortunately, head coach Dan Quinn's squad recovered from a rocky start to emerge as comfortable winners.
The Commanders saved their season, and they are still in the NFC East title picture. That could lead general manager Adam Peters to make a bold move before the 2026 trade deadline to improve the team's chances of finishing strong in the season's second half.
It's a contentious issue among fans. Some believe Peters should be selling, though injuries to Daron Payne and Terry McLaurin make that more difficult. But with pressure on to enhance results, an incoming trade at the right price couldn't be dismissed entirely.
With that in mind, here are eight potential trade options for the Commanders if Peters decides to buy rather than sell.
Trades the Washington Commanders could consider after a season-saving win over the Eagles
Commanders could trade for Josh Downs
Terry McLaurin is out for the season with a torn patellar tendon. The Commanders got good returns from Stefon Diggs, Treylon Burks, and third-round rookie Antonio Williams in his absence, but no team can ever have enough productive receivers.
With the Commanders showing signs of life against the Eagles, this might be a good time to strengthen Jayden Daniels' firepower. And if Adam Peters goes down this route, Josh Downs might be a risk worth taking.
Downs recently requested a trade from the Indianapolis Colts, who are keen to sell anyone to improve their chances of a successful rebuild. While he's never been classed as a legitimate WR1, the tools are there to be much more productive with a stable presence giving him the football.
The Commanders have precisely that in Daniels. And the reported compensation demands of a fourth-round pick are not off-putting in the slightest.
Commanders could trade for Dalvin Tomlinson
The Commanders' defensive front has lost Daron Payne for the season, and Javon Kinlaw is dealing with a knee injury that the club is rightfully treating with extreme caution. But with no margin for error in trying to salvage something from the campaign, Adam Peters may take drastic action in the trenches.
Despite the Los Angeles Chargers being the league's biggest disappointment at 0-7, their defense is actually holding its own. But even though reports suggest they won't move anyone before the trade deadline, someone like Dalvin Tomlinson could give the Commanders a short-term boost if Kinlaw is forced to miss significant time.
Tomlinson is no stranger to the NFC East, thanks to his time with the New York Giants. Though he is not the dominant game-wrecker of old, he's still got the size and strength to be impactful in a 3-4 front.
Add us as a preferred source on Google