The Washington Commanders are in a tricky position heading into the 2026 trade deadline. On the one hand, they still think they can win the NFC East. On the other hand, they need to protect future assets for another big offseason next year.
General manager Adam Peters has made calls and taken calls. The Commanders haven't confirmed anything yet, and much will depend on how they fare against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 9.
But if the Commanders can somehow pull off an upset, that changes the landscape considerably.
Commanders could test Panthers' resolve with Derrick Brown trade bid
And it might be worth Peters calling the Carolina Panthers to see what it would take to acquire Pro Bowl defensive lineman Derrick Brown.
Like the Commanders, the Panthers have underachieved this season. They are 3-4 but somehow still leading the NFC South, which says little about the division's strength. They also recently fired defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, so it's clear not everything is well inside the building.
Teams have reportedly called the Panthers about Brown's availability. General manager Dan Morgan has been reluctant, and all signs point to Carolina holding onto the 2020 first-round pick out of Auburn.
But anything can happen in the NFL. And even though this would be a little on the daring side, it does make some sense for Washington.
The Commanders have lost Daron Payne and Javon Kinlaw for the season. The former is out of contract and may have played his last game for the franchise, and the latter could be a salary-cap cut candidate as he enters the last year of his deal.
That would leave the Commanders desperately short of legitimate options in the defensive trenches. Only Tim Settle Jr. is under contract beyond 2026, which is a problem. Adding Brown wouldn't be cheap, but the long-term benefits would be substantial.
Trading for Derrick Brown would be a pipedream for the Commanders
Brown is a dominant figure. He's a commanding presence against the run who can absorb double teams effectively. While his pass-rush skills have never been elite, and he's struggled to put up numbers this season, he remains one of the league's most gifted interior defensive linemen.
The player is under contract for two more years after this season. Brown is set to count more than $30 million against the cap each season, but he has no more guaranteed money on his deal.
That is off-putting, especially given the compensation it might take for the Panthers to change their stance. But if Carolina loses to the Denver Broncos, Morgan might become a little more receptive to offers.
And it wouldn't hurt the Commanders to examine this possibility further.
It might come to nothing, and it would likely cost a second-round pick and potentially more. However, this is the perfect replacement for Payne, and Brown could also step in immediately to give Washington's 3-4 front a real shot in the arm.
Realistically, this would be ambitious. But if the Commanders manage to get one over on the Rams, that could give Peters the extra luxury to be aggressive before the November 10 deadline passes.
Brown is a legitimate difference-maker who might benefit from a fresh start. It's highly unlikely, but there's no telling the impact he could make for Washington's defense under Daronte Jones.
Just don't count on it.
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