This time of year always comes with wild speculation. The trade deadline is fast approaching, which always brings theories, rumors, and everything in between about buyers and sellers around the NFL.
Just where the Washington Commanders fit into it at this time of year is anyone's guess. Adam Peters was aggressive last season, trading for veteran cornerback Marshon Lattimore with the team sitting at 7-2 with a real chance to make an impact in the playoffs. That is not the case this time around.
The Commanders are 3-4 with a brutal stretch of games upcoming. Peters could stand pat, which is the most likely scenario. He's spent a lot with mixed success. And this roster doesn't have many players of value if the front-office leader decided to sell.
NFL analyst makes a case for Justin Fields trade to the Commanders
Still, that hasn't stopped some jaw-dropping predictions from surfacing. And there was nothing more eye-popping than the statement made by Vinnie Iver from the Sporting News.
In a feature highlighting one trade move every team should make, the NFL analyst had an interesting choice for the Commanders. It was none other than struggling New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields.
No, really.
"The Commanders can only make this deal for a young running backup with upside behind Jayden Daniels if the Jets agree to take on much of the salary burden but [Justin] Fields would definitely be a good flyer to add behind Marcus Mariota as a future needed injury contingency for Daniels, fitting well with Kliff Kingsbury."Vinnie Iver
Okay, it's hard to know where to start with this one.
Let's begin with Jayden Daniels. He's the franchise player, and his hamstring strain reportedly won't keep him out long term. Marcus Mariota is one of the league's most accomplished backups, and fans could make a good case that he's better than Fields right now. And it doesn't seem likely that Peters is in the business of giving up assets for a third-string quarterback who's currently dealing with severe confidence issues.
That's without considering the money on Fields' deal and his current demoralized standing around the league. He was publicly called out by Jets owner Woody Johnson after their loss to the Carolina Panthers. Aaron Glenn hasn't decided who'll start this weekend, but all signs point to Tyrod Taylor being under center if he can shake off a knee problem.
This was one of the more outrageous trades I've read, which is saying something. Even if Daniels has to sit for multiple weeks, the Commanders will ride it out with Mariota in what would quickly become a lost season. Fields would do absolutely nothing to shift the needle. To say it's a non-starter would be an understatement.
It reeks of the desperation and panic of the Dan Snyder era. That is not how things are being run anymore.