The Washington Commanders are heading into a new defensive era under Daronte Jones. If head coach Dan Quinn wants this appointment to go well, they must put the personnel in place to turn things around.
And one NFL writer believes that Washington may kickstart Jones' time at the helm with a blockbuster trade in a real position of need.
General manager Adam Peters hasn't been afraid to make trades to help take the Commanders forward. The acquisitions of left tackle Laremy Tunsil and wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. were successful. However, the bombshell splash for four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore was a disaster of epic proportions.
Commanders projected to make sensational trade for Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie
Lattimore will likely be released this offseason, adding $18.5 million to the Commanders' salary cap. That means another accomplished coverage asset must be acquired, and Christopher Kline from FanSided thought Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie represents the sort of bold statement Jones is looking for.
"The Chiefs still have tons of long-term money on the books and probably don't want to hand [Trent] McDuffie a record-breaking contract, which sets the wheels in motion for a trade. Enter the Washington Commanders. Dan Quinn has proven his ability to lead a great defense, but Washington just bled points last season. The roster is way too old, and the DB room features more than its share of question marks. McDuffie can come in, in the prime of his career, and give the Commanders a new long-term staple on the outside."Christopher Kline, FanSided
Nobody is doubting McDuffie's credentials. He's a lockdown presence firmly in his prime, so this would be an investment in the future as well as the present. The Chiefs may also be willing to listen, considering they are projected to be $62.57 million over the cap right now.
It's an intriguing theory. But considering how many holes the Commanders have to fill, and their lack of legitimate draft assets to make Kansas City an acceptable offer, it doesn't seem all that likely.
Washington's priority should be finding long, leverage-creating edge rushers to put Jones' projected scheme into motion. That will, in turn, make it easier for the defensive backs. Standing pat at the cornerback position is not an option, but Peters may think twice about giving up more capital, especially considering McDuffie is likely to want a long-term contract extension.
The 2022 first-round pick out of Washington is in the final year of his rookie deal. Spotrac projects McDuffie to get a whopping four-year, $111.49 million contract, equating to $27.87 million annually. That is a massive commitment. Couple this with the compensation it might take to get him to the Commanders, and it seems like a non-starter.
Nothing should be completely dismissed at this time of year. But the Commanders are not in a position to be pushing their chips into the middle for McDuffie or anyone else.