Commanders lost Dyami Brown
- Position: Wide Receiver
- New Team: Jacksonville Jaguars (1-year deal)
The Washington Commanders finally saw the light come on for Dyami Brown at the business end of the campaign. It took a long time, but better late than never I guess.
Things looked bleak for the wide receiver after he failed to earn the trust of offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. But when Noah Brown went down with a serious kidney injury that required surgery, the former third-round pick was thrust into the spotlight.
Brown responded well. He looked more confident when targets came his way and made things happen with the football in his hands. Kingsbury praised his work ethic and the pass-catcher earned the trust of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels during the playoffs.
The timing of Brown's renaissance was impeccable. With his contract up for renewal and teams around the league always looking to bolster their receiving corps, cashing in elsewhere was always a possibility. When the Los Angeles Rams gave Tutu Atwell a one-year deal with a fully guaranteed $10 million attached, it made keeping the North Carolina graduate around more difficult from the Commanders' perspective.
- Departure grade: A
Brown signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars that could rise to $12 million with incentives. This is an astonishing overpay considering his overall body of work. The Commanders were right not to match it and let him walk.
Commanders lost Jeremy Chinn
- Position: Safety
- New Team: Las Vegas Raiders (2-year deal)
The Commanders believed in Jeremy Chinn when all hope seemed lost. Things fizzled out with the Carolina Panthers in 2023 as new defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero had no use for the dynamic safety within his 3-4 base concepts. That was not an opinion shared by Washington.
Chinn's size, high-level instincts, and explosiveness looked well suited to the schematic demands of Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. He was extremely motivated to silence his doubters and prove the Panthers made a grave mistake. This was a mission he accomplished emphatically.
There was a lot to like about Chinn's production throughout the campaign. He was a ferocious backend force, forming a decent partnership with Quan Martin and accumulating 117 tackles as a result of his efforts. There were a few poor moments, but his ability to rise in the face of adversity represented the biggest positive imaginable.
Most reports suggested the Commanders and Chinn would reach an agreement regarding a long-term commitment. There didn't seem much concern among the fans, so the disappointment was evident after the former second-round pick signed a two-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders.
- Departure grade: D
Perhaps Adam Peters felt Chinn wasn't worth the money. He got Will Harris for $6 million cheaper on a two-year agreement. But if he cannot fill the void effectively, it won't take long for the finger-pointing to begin.