Adam Peters had some difficult decisions to make throughout his second offseason at the helm. None more so than letting one of the Washington Commanders' standout performers from the previous campaign walk in free agency.
Now, dynamic safety Jeremy Chinn has set his sights on emulating the Commanders' sensational turnaround elsewhere.
This was a disagreeable decision from Peters. There was a lot to like about Chinn's performance levels last season. He became ever-present on the backend with the explosive versatility that flourished within Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr.'s schematic concepts. The former second-round pick galvanized his career and was widely expected to be rewarded accordingly.
Chinn was rewarded, just not by Washington.
The Commanders let Chinn test the market. Interest soon arrived, with the Las Vegas Raiders offering him a two-year deal that Peters wasn't willing to match. Of all the moves made by the front-office leader this offseason, allowing the defensive back to take his chances elsewhere was the most disappointing to fans.
Washington moved quickly to replace Chinn, signing Will Harris. The athletic attributes are similar. Whether he'll have the same impact remains to be seen.
Jeremy Chinn aiming for similwar success after regrettable Commanders' departure
As for Chinn? He's looking to replicate Washington's exceptional turnaround in Las Vegas. The Southern Illinois graduate highlighted the culture and brotherhood formed by the Commanders as a big reason behind the team's sensational run. But the intrigue of being deployed within Pete Carroll's defense was too tempting to turn down.
"Last year, I would say one of the big things that was done there, was culturally and inside. There was definitely a shift. But also, I think the players really came together. There was a great level of leadership. A great brotherhood that we created, and I truly believe that can happen here as well. Just hearing coach [Pette] Carroll's plan, how he saw me featured in his defense and his team. That was very intriguing for me."Jeremy Chinn via Raiders.com
Carroll and Quinn worked together with great success. They masterminded the renowned Legion of Boom defense on the Seattle Seahawks en route to a Super Bowl. Chinn was a great fit in Washington. He'll be a great fit for the Raiders as a hard-hitting, athletic presence in a similar mold to Kam Chancellor.
Not everyone was going to get a reprieve from Peters this offseason. He re-signed most of his free agents, but one of his more valuable contributors didn't get the same courtesy as some whose production was sketchy at best. That's all part of the business, so it'll be interesting to see if Harris can fill the void effectively.
One couldn't dismiss the prospect of Washington acquiring another high-upside safety from the 2025 NFL Draft, although it'll be difficult with only five selections at Peters' disposal currently. What's important is finding ways to ensure Chinn's departure doesn't become sorely felt. Nothing else will do.
Chinn got a taste of success for the first time in his NFL career with the Commanders last time around after toiling on the Carolina Panthers previously. He knows what it takes to mold an instant winner. That's his primary objective upon joining the Raiders.
We wish him well.
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