4 pending Commanders free agents who could be surprisingly re-signed in 2024

Curtis Samuel - Commanders WR

Curtis Samuel is a bit of an anomaly on this list. At this point, I think the Washington Commanders would most definitely want him back in 2024, but that could be out of their hands.

He was never intended to be a long-term solution to the Commanders' wide receiver woes. Washington was supposed to build its receiving core around veteran star Terry McLaurin and up-and-coming standout Jahan Dotson. Then, they were supposed to develop a couple of younger receivers to play behind them. Samuel was going to provide some dynamic playmaking for three years while that plan was being put into motion.

Apart from McLaurin, that plan has collapsed. Dotson’s subpar 2023 has everyone seriously questioning his long-term viability as a No. 2 receiver. Neither Dyami Brown nor any of the other later-round draft picks or young free agents have stepped up.

In that shambles, Samuel has had a good couple of years. He has stayed healthy and been far more reliable than Dotson. He will be 28 years old at the beginning of the 2024 season and still has his speed.

That also means he will be seeking his final major contract. With the explosion in free-agent receiver contracts over the last few years, I suspect at least one team will make a big run at Samuel.

Washington will have to pay a lot if they want to keep him. Before the season, I would have said there was no way they would do such a thing. Right now, I am not so sure.