The Washington Commanders are in a strong position heading into the offseason. General manager Adam Peters will stop at nothing to make the improvements needed to make another bold Super Bowl bid next time.
Nothing is off the table. The Commanders are loaded with salary-cap space and draft picks. They are ahead of schedule and an attractive destination. Expect Peters to take full advantage of this in the coming months.
Peters might also explore trades if the right opportunities present themselves. Speculation remains rampant about the Commanders potentially making a bold splash for Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett. Veteran wide receiver Cooper Kupp is another being linked after the Los Angeles Rams made the former Triple Crown winner available.
Cooper Kupp's work ethic should fit into the Commanders' culture shift well
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN stated that Kupp's exceptional work ethic and proven credentials would fit Washington's impressive culture shift under the new regime. The respected insider believes the Commanders might make a move given their need to find a capable complimentary piece to put alongside Terry McLaurin.
"Execs predict Rams receiver Cooper Kupp will have a trade market because he's quarterback-friendly, makes contested catches and is the type of first-one-in, last-one-out worker who resonates with a new team. Questions about age (31), declining production, lower-body explosiveness and injuries loom. But he can still play -- he caught 67 balls for 710 yards and six scores this season (missed five games). The contract is an issue, though. Kupp is due $20 million in 2025, and all but $5 million of that is guaranteed in the form of a roster bonus. The Rams would likely be willing to eat some of the contract to facilitate a trade. The Commanders could be looking for a complementary receiver to Terry McLaurin."Jeremy Fowler
Kupp isn't getting any younger, but he's still got some juice left in the tank. The pass-catcher suffered some injury problems in recent years. That said, he knows how to create separation effortlessly and is an absolute menace across short-to-intermediate routes.
That's exactly the type of receiver the Commanders should look for this offseason. They have a No. 1 alpha in McLaurin. That won't be enough, especially considering Noah Brown, Dyami Brown, Jamison Crowder, and Olamide Zaccheaus are all entering free agency and might not return.
This would be nothing more than a short-term option for the Commanders. That could be offputting depending on the compensation attached, but their window is open right now. Peters must pivot accordingly, finding reinforcements to help immediately while keeping one eye on the future.
Kupp is a win-now trade. Fowler's revelation regarding Los Angeles' potential willingness to eat some of his money helps, although that will probably come with a higher draft pick. What the Commanders must figure out is whether the All-Pro can move the needle enough to get over the hump.
Other opinions will be considered. Free agency should have capable weapons to upgrade the options at Jayden Daniels' disposal. The Commanders can also go down the draft route, but unproven commodities at the next level come with more risk.
If the decision is to sacrifice a draft pick for Kupp, he's a good scheme fit and a tremendous professional. Whether this scenario becomes reality or not remains to be seen.
More Commanders news and analysis
feed