The NFL trade deadline is right on the horizon, and the Washington Commanders are in flux. At 3-5, it would seem that the likely move for Adam Peters is to sell rather than buy.
But this is a team that started the year expecting to compete for a deep playoff run. Selling would be a weak-willed admission of failure, and would affirm a losing culture the Commanders absolutely cannot afford to let creep back in.
The Commanders went through this two years ago, when Washington traded away defensive ends Chase Young and Montez Sweat just hours before the deadline. The team quit. Everybody was going through the motions, just waiting for the season to be over. Let's not do that again, please.
Washington must do whatever it takes to salvage a respectable season in 2025, even if that looks like a lost cause. There's one move that could pay significant dividends.
Commanders named potential landing spot for Saints WR Rashid Shaheed
Dan Quinn's squad needs some reinforcements to their wide receiver corps in a bad way, with All-Pro Terry McLaurin having played in only three games in 2025 and Noah Brown on injured reserve. One player who could solve many of their problems is Rashid Shaheed.
The speedy weapon has 431 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns through eight games in 2025, which is the final year of his rookie contract on one of the worst teams in the NFL. He's a perfect candidate to be on the trade block, and Dan Treacy of The Sporting News hinted that Washington could use his services.
"With (Terry) McLaurin aggravating a quad injury, the Commanders have to decide if they are still hoping to contend this season. If they believe that path is there, a deep threat in Shaheed could be fun to pair with the arm of Daniels down the stretch."Dan Treacy
Adam Peters is no stranger to making deals with the Saints, acquiring four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore at the 2024 deadline. That move hasn't aged particularly well, but Shaheed seems like a much better fit.
The Commanders need an explosive playmaker in their offense now that McLaurin is out again. Luke McCaffrey has shown in spurts that he can provide that. As has Deebo Samuel Sr., though the veteran's play has tailed off since the start of the year while nursing his own heel injury.
However, Shaheed could open up Washington's passing attack and help Jayden Daniels rediscover his rookie-year magic.