Adam Peters secured two blockbuster trades during the 2025 offseason. A few months before that, the Washington Commanders struck a bombshell agreement with the New Orleans Saints for cornerback Marshon Lattimore. This signaled how ambitious the general manager was to go one better and reach the Super Bowl.
It blew up in Peters' face. Most fans are expecting a return to the original plan this offseason. However, that didn't stop one NFL analyst from placing the Commanders at the forefront of speculation regarding another blockbuster offseason trade that would shake the league to its foundations.
That would be surprising. The Commanders only have six selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, and there are holes all over the roster. Giving up a king's ransom in a trade represents another daring gamble. Still, Peters won't hesitate if he has a genuine conviction.
Commanders projected to make bold trade for edge rusher Maxx Crosby
Alex Ballentine from The Bleacher Report predicted the Commanders as the perfect landing spot for Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby. The analyst thought two first-round picks and a fifth-rounder may be enough to get this deal over the line, which could inspire a quick turnaround in Washington if this scenario came to fruition.
"The Commanders fit the bill. They have around $89.8 million in cap space and the potential to have a huge bounce-back season with a healthy Jayden Daniels next season. Washington's struggles this season gives them the advantage of a top-10 pick to offer to Vegas. Dan Quinn would get the marquee pass-rusher he needs to improve the Commanders defense and the Raiders would be able to potentially add a quarterback at No. 1 and a foundational defensive prospect at No. 7."Alex Ballentine
Crosby is an exceptional performer. He's shown no desire to leave Las Vegas, but the AFC West club is going through a transitional phase. Acquiring as much draft capital as possible will only help their rebuild, and the five-time Pro Bowl edge rusher is their most prized asset right now.
The Raiders shut down Crosby down the stretch, which he was reportedly not too thrilled about. Trading him seems drastic, but there would be a queue of suitors ready to start a bidding war if Las Vegas became more receptive to offers.
Whether the Commanders would throw their hat in the ring is another matter. If things had gone better this season, it's a different story. That wasn't the case, and Washington may decide to build the right way rather than throw more assets on one all-star performer.
This would solve the Commanders' biggest need. Even so, it might not fit with the new timeline when push comes to shove.