As the Washington Commanders work their way through the end of minicamp and get set for a break before training camp here in a few weeks, there is likely to be a bit of a lull in terms of news. But, keep an eye out on the NFL's transaction wire as there are still going to be some moves made, here and there.
For one recent Commanders draft pick, the transaction wire wasn't so kind.
2024 fifth-round pick Dominique Hampton was just cut by the Chicago Bears and now, after a somewhat-promising outlook just two years ago, his career is searching for some life.
Former Commanders draft pick Dominique Hampton now looks at an uncertain NFL future
Coming out of the University of Washington, Hampton originally played safety before becoming more of a hybrid linebacker type in the NFL. As a college player and prospect, Hampton was viewed as one of the more athletically-gifted at his position, scoring an 85.0 in that category per NFL Media's draft and scouting guru, Lance Zierlein.
Also, from Zierlein's perspective, Hampton was viewed as a fourth-round prospect. The fact Washington got him in the fifth round made him look like a bit of a steal, at first.
However, as he transitioned from college to the pros, any hope around his NFL future seemed to quickly fizzle out. As a rookie, Hampton would appear in just one game and play six snaps on special teams.
And that would be it.
After signing his initial four-year contract with Washington, Hampton was released in August of 2025. He would last only one season with the Commanders before the team decided to cut their losses.
A few months later, in November of 2025, the Chicago Bears picked him up and added him to the practice squad. Their defense was down a few linebackers and needed the chance at some depth. He must have impressed enough, in such a short time, because the Bears signed him to a future/reserve contract in January of 2026.
Now, just a few weeks before the start of training camp, however, he finds himself looking for his next NFL opportunity.
Looking at the linebacker landscape in Chicago, though, it made sense to try and give Hampton some time to find a new team before camp.
The Bears had added even more to that room and have some difficult decisions ahead when it comes to who they'll keep on the final roster. There's a chance some good players get cut, which meant zero likelihood for Hampton to stick around based on what he's shown in a couple of years.
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