5 dream free agents for the Commanders in 2024
By Dean Jones
Commanders could sign Brian Burns
- Edge Rusher | Carolina Panthers
Trading Montez Sweat and Chase Young was a necessary evil. The Washington Commanders felt like both offers were too good to turn down. It also provided the new regime with financial flexibility and extra draft picks to potentially speed up their rebuild.
This doesn't detract from how much Sweat and Young were missed once they departed for the Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers respectively. The Commanders got almost no consistent pass-rush over the second half of 2023. Hopes are high for K.J. Henry with another offseason to develop. Aside from that, the cupboard is relatively bare.
Finding a promising edge presence from the college ranks will be considered. The Commanders could also identify one of the top free agents providing they hit the market. This won't be cheap, but the need for a genuine stud cannot be overstated.
Brian Burns fits the mold. The former first-round pick is still looking for a new deal from the Carolina Panthers after the previous regime mismanaged the situation terribly. His numbers were down last season, but the two-time Pro Bowler admitted to playing with a sense of hesitancy knowing what a long-term injury could do to his chances of getting paid.
The Panthers aren't going to let Burns walk for nothing. One expects the Florida State product to get the franchise tag. If a new deal cannot be worked out, a tag and trade might be something they consider. This is a situation the Commanders should monitor closely.