The Washington Commanders wanted to sign wide receiver Romeo Doubs in free agency. General manager Adam Peters reportedly made a decent offer, but the ascending pass-catcher turned it down to join the New England Patriots instead.
Based on his efforts during the regular-season curtain raiser, the Commanders may have dodged a bullet if the same trend continues.
The Patriots needed Doubs to come through versus the formidable Seattle Seahawks defense, especially after marquee addition A.J. Brown went out of the game with a high ankle sprain. Not exactly easy against the defending Super Bowl champions, but it was a comedy of errors from the wideout.
Romeo Doubs' opening night disaster made Commanders feel a little better
Drops. Unsure route-running. Hesitancy out of his stems. Generally disengaged. It was a debut to forget for Doubs, and his explanation after the Patriots' loss was even worse.
"I just wasn't locked in enough. That's all. Video speaks for itself. And like I said, I'll be better.”
Wow.
This was his first game for a new team. The Patriots gave him a four-year, $68 million contract with a $15 million signing bonus and $39 million guaranteed. For Doubs not to be locked in on a crucial fourth-down conversion attempt that he inexplicably dropped is simply unacceptable.
And the pressure is now on from here.
It's just one game. Doubs is talented enough to bounce back. And with Brown potentially missing some time, he needs to shake this up and respond positively.
Commanders may have dodged a Romeo Doubs-sized bullet if he cannot bounce back
But for a player who didn't gain more than 724 receiving yards in four seasons with the Green Bay Packers, this was not the best first impression.
The Commanders struck out on Doubs and Alec Pierce soon after the legal tampering window opened. Peters reacted positively, signing Dyami Brown and Stefon Diggs while also spending a third-round pick on Antonio Williams.
With second-team All-Pro wideout Terry McLaurin now back to full health, this wideout unit could emerge as a pleasant surprise. But lingering concerns remain.
Doubs would have been nice. However, if his first game in New England is a sign of things to come, the Commanders have had a lucky escape.
The knives are already out for Doubs. Failing to bring in any of his three targets will do that, especially with so much excitement heading into the campaign. What's important is dusting himself off, learning from this experience, and coming back even stronger over the remaining 16 games.
Anything less, and serious questions will be asked about the Patriots' decision to give him the money they did in free agency.
That's not the Commanders' problem. And after this horror show, that might be a good thing.
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