General manager Adam Peters had to strengthen his roster this offseason. To get the best free agents, you typically have to pay above the going rate. That is what most believe the Washington Commanders have done with edge rusher Odafe Oweh.
And one Philadelphia Eagles analyst still can fathom why the Commanders made this substantial financial commitment.
The Commanders needed a marquee pass-rusher. They were devoid of any real consistency in this area last season, and things completely capitulated when Dorance Armstrong Jr. got hurt. Oweh was among the best available options, and Peters struck with conviction to beat off other suitors.
Eagles analyst tears into Commanders for perceived Odafe Oweh overpay
It's a lot of money, and Oweh has only been a situational edge defender throughout his career to date. More is required now, but hopes are high that he can provide the energy, explosiveness, and dynamism to take things up a notch defensively.
Not everyone holds the same opinion. Jimmy Kempskey of Philly Voice ripped the Commanders for spending big money on Oweh. He compared it to the Eagles' signing of Bryce Huff, which was an unmitigated disaster. This has cost Washington even more.
"The Commanders gave him a four-year deal worth $96 million. Oof. I do understand the Commanders' impulse to do whatever it takes to improve their pass rush since they couldn't get after the quarterback a year ago, but man is that an overpay for a guy who has really only played on obvious passing downs. This reminds me a lot of the Eagles' signing of Bryce Huff, but for $7 million per season more."
The critics will be there throughout the summer. They will grow if Oweh doesn't make the impact anticipated, given the lofty price tag he carries. But if the former Penn State standout gets double-digit sacks and spearheads a defensive renaissance in Washington, the cost won't come into the equation.
Everyone has to pay in free agency. The Carolina Panthers gave Jaelan Phillips $120 million over four years. Wide receiver Alec Pierce got $114 million from the Indianapolis Colts. Trey Hendrickson received a four-year, $112 million deal from the Baltimore Ravens, and Tyler Linderbaum reset the center market by a considerable margin with an $81 million deal from the Las Vegas Raiders.
It's a supply-and-demand situation. The Commanders needed a top-tier edge rusher, and Oweh was among the primary options. Peters didn't want to get left short-handed, and the money was there to make him an offer he couldn't refuse.
Did they overpay? Probably. But if he becomes what the Commanders expect, nobody will care.
And that probably bothers the Eagles more than anything else.
Add us as a preferred source on Google