It is a huge offseason for the Washington Commanders. The wheels of change are already in motion after both coordinators were let go, which should be the tip of the iceberg regarding alterations to the staff and across the roster.
Not exactly ideal after reaching the NFC Championship game just a year ago, but it's an absolute necessity.
General manager Adam Peters needs to be aggressive. He needs to completely overhaul the defensive options. He must get younger across the board. And he must continue to surround quarterback Jayden Daniels with the supporting cast needed to flourish.
With the Commanders promoting David Blough to replace Kliff Kingsbury and looking at schematic concepts to install, adding another explosive running back is worth considering. Going down the draft route is feasible, but Washington only has six picks. They have money to spend in free agency, which led one NFL analyst to make a bold projection that would represent a massive statement of intent.
ESPN analyst makes bold Commanders projection that would help Jayden Daniels endlessly
Aaron Schatz of ESPN thought the Commanders should take a bold swing at New York Jets running back Breece Hall if he hits the open market. That would be on the expensive side, but the analyst thought this would be the perfect foil for Daniels, with long-term upside attached.
"The Commanders will make a big splash by signing running back Breece Hall, a talented rusher and receiver who will be just 25 years old next season. Rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt didn't end up taking the league by storm, and Chris Rodriguez Jr. wasn't spectacular either. Washington finished 21st in run offense DVOA through Week 17 this season."Aaron Schatz
Hall would probably like to leave the Jets, who are going through a period of significant transition after trading defensive lineman Quinnen Williams and cornerback Sauce Gardner. He's only just entering his prime, and has stayed relatively injury-free after a knee issue brought his promising rookie campaign to an abrupt halt. The Commanders also need a home-run threat with proven credentials to improve Blough's chances of hitting the ground running.
According to Spotrac, Hall is expected to generate an annual salary of $10.39 million on a four-year, $41.56 million deal. Paying running backs is a known risk, but with 1,415 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns on such a sorry team this season, it may be a gamble worth making for the Commanders.
Taking some of the pressure off Daniels and minimizing the risk of injury are also crucial. Having a running back that other teams actively focus on would go a long way to achieving this objective. Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Chris Rodroiguez Jr. have both flashed promise, but this possible signing would be an upgrade in no uncertain terms.
What Peters needs to figure out is whether it'll be worth the projected financial investment. It's risky, but so was promoting Blough.
And sometimes, with high risk comes high reward.