Not much has gone right for the Washington Commanders this season. The team is decimated by injuries, and all hopes they had of making the playoffs once again are long gone. Regardless of how things go from here, general manager Adam Peters has a significant amount of hard work ahead when the offseason commences.
Peters gambled on aging veterans. He ran it back with almost the same group, making two bold splashes in the trade market while spending big money on just one free agent. The plan backfired, so changing his approach is imperative during a recruitment period that will shape Washington's future.
Several glaring issues must be addressed. But a problem that is going relatively overlooked compared to others is one that Peters should urgently rectify.
The Commanders haven't got much going on the ground this season. Austin Ekeler suffered a season-ending injury in Week 2. Seventh-round rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt's meteoric early rise has tailed off dramatically, and he lost his starting role to Chris Rodriguez Jr. in Week 10. Jeremy McNichols is a dependable backup and nothing more.
Commanders could need $48 million to sign Breece Hall in 2026 free agency
Washington needs a prolific backfield threat to go alongside quarterback Jayden Daniels. Jeremy Fowler from ESPN believes New York Jets running back Breece Hall is the best set to hit the market, and it might take in the region of $48 million on a four-year deal to secure his services.
"[Breece] Hall was coveted at the trade deadline. That the Jets wanted a third-round pick in return for a running back reminds that Hall has top-end talent. And my sense is he will do just fine in free agency -- think Josh Jacobs' four-year, $48 million deal signed in March 2024 as a possibility. A few personnel evaluators thought that was a fair contract comp."Jeremy Fowler
Paying running backs on second contracts doesn't come without risk. Hall only recently turned 24, and he's fully recovered from the serious injury that ended his outstanding rookie campaign early. This would be an investment for the future as well as the present, so it's something Peters should potentially explore if the Jets cannot keep him around.
The Jets would have traded Hall before the deadline if their valuation was met. This is also a rebuilding team, so the 2022 second-round pick won't get a better chance to get out of town. While the Commanders aren't exactly making waves either this season, the opportunity to play with Daniels could tip the scales in their favor.
It's a lot of money, but there are ways to structure the contract that work for all parties. And when push comes to shove, Hall represents a considerable upgrade on anything in Washington's running back room right now.