According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, the Commanders have “significant interest” in signing Aiyuk, however, it would only happen under the condition that he is released by the 49ers. Having said that, 49ers GM John Lynch said the team is not releasing Aiyuk.

Hence, the Commanders won’t engage in trade talks, but will be ready to offer a contract for a wideout that hasn’t played a game since October 2024. He suffered an ACL tear there, and after the injury, he’s had a tumultuous time with the 49ers.

Aiyuk has ties with Commanders QB Jayden Daniels

Jayden Daniels shined at LSU, but he played with Brandon Aiyuk at Arizona State. Hence, that could be a way of tempting Aiyuk of going to the Commanders. The team only has Terry McLaurin as a great option for Daniels, so Aiyuk, if back to top form, could definitely help the team.

Jayden Daniels himself is trying to get a bounceback year after not having the best of seasons in 2025. Daniels suffered a sophomore slump after winning Offensive Rookie of the Year, and dealt with quite a lot of injuries too.

The Commanders need an offensive star after the 2026 NFL Draft

The Commanders picked Sonny Styles in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. He is easily one of the best players in this class and he will do wonders for the team defensively. However, the offense needs help.

In the third round, the Commanders drafted Antonio Williams, a wide receiver from Clemson. However, they need firepower and Aiyuk could be that. Still, not having played in two years is not precisely the way to remain a top-tier weapon.

While the Giants have reportedly accepted Love won’t be available at No. 5, the running back knows anything can happen and he might drop even further—perhaps right into the Commanders’ lap. In Love’s own words, such a draft-day fall might actually be a blessing in his NFL career.

“[My visit at] Washington was great. I got to meet some great guys, got to talk to some great coaches and owner. I’d be blessed to go there, that’s all I’ve got to say,” Love admitted in dialogue with NBC4 Washington. “I feel like me and Jayden Daniels would be a very good duo. You know, Washington is great.”

Commanders’ fate hinges on Giants’ decision

Unless the Giants trade down or the Commanders trade up, the only way Love arrives in Washington is if New York passes on him with the fifth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Commanders own the No. 7 selection, so their destiny isn’t in their hands. They’ll need some help from several other organizations, including the one in East Rutherford.

If everything falls into place and the Commanders select Love, he would face the Giants twice every season. He might enter those divisional matchups with a chip on his shoulder, as the Giants may have spoken highly of him but gone in a different direction.

All signs suggest that if Love is still available at No. 5, the G-Men will draft him in a heartbeat. Still, it’s a two-way street. Just as the Giants aren’t Love’s only option and he is open to playing anywhere in the NFL, Love isn’t the Giants’ only option.

Teams after Love in 2026 NFL Draft

It’s no secret Love is one of the best players in the upcoming draft class. Strictly talent-wise—and with positional value aside—the Notre Dame alum could very well be the first overall pick. His comments on the Commanders indicate he likes what he sees in Dan Quinn’s team.

However, what else was Love supposed to say in conversations with media based in D.C.? Love knows better than to burn bridges around the league, especially when he has yet to be selected. All reports suggest he will be drafted in the top five by either the Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans, or New York Giants, but anything can happen.

Moreover, the fact that he is a running back is one not many teams will be able to overlook and may cause Love to fall out of the top 10 of the first round in the 2026 NFL Draft. Just in case, Love is trying to stay on everyone’s good side.

Love’s stats in college

Just a glance at Love’s numbers during his college football career with the Fighting Irish reveals why the Giants and so many other teams are interested in him. Love appeared in 41 games during his time in South Bend. He registered 2,882 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns on the ground. Moreover, he racked up 63 receptions for 594 yards and six touchdowns.

Ertz spoke with Jedd McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. He said, “I don’t want it to be the last play that I have... it’s just doing everything I can to get back to my best because I felt like I was playing really good football before I got hurt.”

Ertz is right, by the way. In the 2025 season, he had 50 catches for 504 yards and four touchdowns. Bear in mind, most of the season was played with a backup quarterback, as the Commanders used Marcus Mariota due to Jayden Daniels’ injuries.

What does the future hold for Ertz?

Now a free agent, it will be tough for the 36-year-old to come back. Not only is he an advanced-age player, but the injury is also a tough one to ignore. Ertz revealed that he is aiming to come back to the field in training camp.

Ertz also admitted that he knows he will have to prove that he is both healthy and productive to find a new place to work, but he is eager to prove doubters wrong. Ertz is one of the best tight ends in the last decade, and is a Super Bowl champion as well. He is a good presence to have in the locker room.

The Commanders have another tight end already

The Commanders are not likely to re-sign Ertz, because they already found a replacement. The team signed Chig Okonkwo to their roster. Okonkwo is younger, faster, and more explosive than Ertz.

Okonkwo is fresh off a 560-yard, 56-catch season with the Titans. He only scored two touchdowns, but he will enter a slightly more talented roster now, where he can play alongside Jayden Daniels.

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported that Omar Cooper will visit the Commanders. It was reported that the Jets are “extremely high” on Cooper. However, he’s also visited the Panthers and Cowboys. He is going around.

Cooper is an NFL-ready talent and a good landing spot could see him become a certified weapon from the get-go. Cooper was the best weapon on an Indiana roster that won the National Championship. Now, he wants to bring a new dynamic to the big leagues.

Cooper’s championship-winning season

Cooper had 69 catches for 937 yards and 13 touchdowns. He was the most reliable weapon for quarterback Fernando Mendoza thanks to his good routes, great hands, and yards after catch skills. He is a tough guy to bring down on the first tackle.

The Commanders might look at Cooper as a huge need, with tight end Zach Ertz and Deebo Samuel unsigned for 2026 (Ertz might retire after suffering a gruesome knee injury as well). Hence, they need solid weapons to help QB Jayden Daniels deliver the goods.

Cooper could have prominence in Washington

Even with Terry McLaurin on the roster, Cooper could end up being a WR1 at times. McLaurin is on the wrong side of 30 years old, and his availability has come into question after losing plenty of games in 2025 due to injury.

Considering that the other WRs on the Commanders are Van Jefferson, Dyami Brown, Treylon Burks, Luke McCaffrey, and Jaylin Lane, Cooper could instantly slot as a top option. After all, you don’t waste a first-round pick to relegate him in the pecking order.

They were linked to star running back Jeremiyah Love for the draft with Chiefs and Giants going empty-handed, but the fact is the Commanders focus will be the defense. In fact, that’s where money has been spent, and according to Quinn, that’s the plan all along.

The Commanders have made eight defensive signings already. As Quinn said, “The best teams that I’ve been a part of had waves of players that could apply pressure. We’ll need to be able to do that and we will.”

Offense is flashy, but defense is key

“Whether you’re affecting a bad throw, or you’re hitting the quarterback to try to get the ball off them,” Dan Quinn said, “if we can do that consistently, then we’ll have a chance to really play like we like.” And yes, having four first rounders in the front seven will help a lot in doing so.

The Commanders also spent a $100 million in bringing in Odafe Oweh for the next four years. Also, bringing all these names gives Quinn a plethora of new ideas. He can shift from a 3-4 base to a 4-3 package. It’s a versatile unit now.

The Commanders are in a weird spot

This team made a fatal mistake. As usual, when an NFL team overachieves in one season, it tends to think its closer to success than it actually is. Hence, when the Commanders went all the way to the NFC Championship Game in 2024, they fooled themselves.

They spent without a care in the world in a win-now attempt. Needless to say, it backfired. Now, they have new coordinators, plenty of new players, and an aging core. Hence, restructuring the defense is the first step to get back on track.

“We would never shut the door on him,” Commanders head coach Quinn said Saturday, via John Keim of ESPN. However, the staff is comfortable with their alternatives: “We do feel like there’s some players that are about to take off at [his] position.”

Wagner not only achieved a Super Bowl championship with the Seattle Seahawks, but has also earned First-Team All-Pro honors six times and Second-Team All-Pro honors five times. A stellar career that could see him once again chasing a title alongside Jayden Daniels with this team.

Wagner’s impact on the Commanders

In 2025, Bobby Wagner remained a defensive powerhouse for the Commanders, recording 79 solo tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 2 interceptions without forcing a single fumble. If Washington fails to bring the future Hall of Famer back for the 2026 season, it would lose more than just elite production; it would miss his veteran leadership and quarterback of the defense mentality, which are crucial for Dan Quinn‘s rebuilding process.

Wagner’s situation in this free agency

A re-signing of Bobby Wagner for the 2026 season would involve a significant shift in both pay and playtime compared to 2025. While he earned nearly $9 million last year, his current market value is projected at $7.7 million for a one-year deal.

Furthermore, Washington no longer views him as a 1,000-snap starter, as his potential return would likely focus on a situational rotation role and providing mentorship for the team’s younger linebackers.

What alternatives does Quinn have for Wagner’s position?

Ahead of next season, the Washington Commanders are transitioning to a more aggressive 3-4 defensive scheme. The linebacker unit is currently anchored by Leo Chenal and Frankie Luvu, who provide the versatility needed for this new system.

Additionally, the potential selection of Sonny Styles in the upcoming draft could give the Burgundy & Gold the elite hybrid playmaker they need to solidify the second level of their defense.

Washington eyes the upcoming Draft

Like the vast majority of the 32 NFL franchises, the Washington Commanders are keeping an eye on the upcoming draft. Here are the six picks that Dan Quinn will need to use wisely:

• Round 1, pick 7
• Round 3, pick 71
• Round 5, pick 147
• Round 6, pick 187
• Round 6, pick 209
• Round 7, pick 223

The former quarterback of the Washington Commanders has made the cut and appears on the official roster for the tryouts ahead of the World Championship that will be held in Düsseldorf. Out of the 24 players who were named, the list will be reduced to 12 to go to Germany in August.

This was his reaction on social media upon hearing the news. “God’s plan. The work is just getting started. Excited to work with my new teammates. USA! USA! USA!”

Will NFL players participate in 2028 Olympics?

The plan is for NFL stars to play in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles as part of Team USA. However, after what happened at the 2026 Fanatics Flag Football Classic, that is no longer a guarantee.

Specialists like Darrell Doucette at the QB position in flag football showed they are more prepared than names like Tom Brady and Joe Burrow. That’s why rumors about Patrick Mahomes as an alternative will have to wait.

Because of that, if they want a spot, the path appears to be very similar to the one RGIII has taken: seeking an opportunity by following the selection process through different tryouts. At the moment, there are no reserved spots for anyone.

“I just love their plan for me, honestly. Before I signed, I had a conversation with the entire staff, the defense, and coach (Dan) Quinn. They illustrated a plan for me that I feel like is going to get me back exactly where I was at two seasons ago, the success that I had,” Omenihu said during his introductory press conference with the Commanders.

When Omenihu talks about the level he showed two seasons ago, he refers to his first year with Reid and the Chiefs. Not even a six-game suspension to start the campaign prevented him from a career-best season.

Omenihu’s impactful 2023 season with Reid, Chiefs

In 2023, Omenihu recorded a career-high 7.0 sacks and 28 combined tackles with 11 quarterback hits, playing a key role in the campaign that led to Kansas City’s Super Bowl LVIII win.

A torn ACL in the 2024 AFC Championship Game against the Baltimore Ravens prevented Omenihu from playing Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers, but his contribution throughout the season was still instrumental.

His return from injured reserve came in November, and even though the Chiefs suffered a blowout loss in Super Bowl LIX against the Philadelphia Eagles, the team brought him back on a one-year deal worth up to $7 million for 2025.

Omenihu no longer believes Chiefs are the best situation for him

Last season saw the Chiefs miss the playoffs for the first time since 2014, and their poor 6-11 record proved that Reid and company would have plenty of work to do this offseason in order to bounce back.

Omenihu, however, shows that he no longer sees Arrowhead as the best place for him. Set to turn 29 in August, he’s moving to Washington for less money than he made in 2025, having agreed to a one-year, $4 million deal with the Commanders.

“I don’t think it’s far-fetched or far-gone at all,” Omenihu said about the Commanders helping him rediscover his 2023 form with the Chiefs. “I feel great body-wise. I just think the plan that they have for me is just really going to expose my strengths and put me in positions to rush, put me in positions to play the run at a high level. And I love that.”

Of course, these kinds of decisions are always personal and other players might still believe in the game plan proposed by Reid in Kansas City. Even so, Omenihu’s explanation could be something the Chiefs want to take into account.

According to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic, the Commanders would have “no reason to hesitate in grabbing” Love, if he falls to them. However, a recent update on Love claims the Tennessee Titans could take him at No. 4.

Love has been a story to follow. He was the best running back in the class, but that stock elevated even further after his NFL Combine outing. Hence, his draft projections are all over the place now, with some thinking he could be a top five pick, or others thinking he could slide a bit, because of being a running back.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt seems to be the Commanders RB1

Croskey-Merritt was a seventh-round pick last season but is expected to be the primary running back of the team. As a rookie, he had 175 rush attempts for 805 yards and eight touchdowns. However, he shared the backfield with Chris Rodriguez Jr., Jeremy McNichols.

Having said that, the Commanders signed Rachaad White, presumably to take all the pass-catching plays. They also re-signed McNichols Hence, Love is not exactly the biggest need, though he would immediately become the best running back on the roster.

Washington’s offense is likely to look very different from last year

Kliff Kingsbury left the team so now the offense will be ran by David Blough, the new offensive coordinator. Blough was the Commanders assistant quarterbacks coach for the last two years.

Blough is a former quarterback who played four years in the NFL, starting just seven games and losing all seven. Now, his task is to make the Commanders offense a unit to fear and very productive in all areas.

The Commanders have been active on the running back market, including Rachaad White. However, according to John Keim of ESPN, the Commanders are eager to add a solid wide receiver to their roster. And while that can complement Terry McLaurin, it could also mean other things.

McLaurin was paid handsomely last year, and he still missed seven games last year and only made 582 yards. McLaurin is also north of 30 years, so the confidence might not be as high on him.

Who is WR2 right now?

As of now, Luke McCaffrey is the second wideout in the Commanders. McCaffrey did have some good outings in the NFL last season, but he had just 203 yards and three touchdowns. While he showed glimpses, it’s a big ask to put him as a WR2 all of a sudden.

McCaffrey is also a slot receiver. Hence, there is a big hole on one of the sides of the fields. That space is now task of Treylon Burks, who hasn’t lived up to his high draft pick in the first round back in 2022.

The Commanders need to bounce back

The Commanders appeared in the NFC Championship game back in 2024. In 2025, they just got five wins. Now, the team has two new coordinators and has done plenty of moves this season.

Adam Schefter reported the signing, and it’s a very good signing for the running back, who saw his snaps decrease heavily on the Buccaneers. Jayden Daniels and White spent two years together. In 2020, White led the Pac-12 in yards per attempt with 10.0. However, Daniels was not as prominent that year.

In 2021, Daniels became the starter of the team, throwing for 2,380 yards on 65.4 completion percentage, along with 10 TDs and 10 INTs. That season, Rachaad White had 1,462 scrimmage yards with 16 total TDs. During their college days together, White was more prominent. Now, the roles have reversed.

How has White fared in the NFL?

In four years in the NFL, White has established himself as a very good dual-threat back. In fact, he’s surpassed the 1,000-scrimmage-yard treshold twice in his career and has never had less than 771 scrimmage yards. However, he lost his starting job on the Buccaneers to the electric Bucky Irving, and hence he needed a change.

The Commanders only had second-year Jacory Croskey-Merritt and veteran Chase Edmonds on their RB depth chart. So for Rachaad White, this is a place where he can actually thrive and earn big-time snaps, instead of getting relegated in the pecking order.

The Commanders need a great running game to function

The Commanders had a 5-12 record last season just one year after going to the NFC Championship Game. There are two main reasons for that. Firstly, Jayden Daniels was injured for plenty of 2025.

Secondly, the Commanders ranked 22nd in total offense, while in 2024, they ranked seventh. That decline will take a huge toll on any team. Now, with hopes of revamping their stock, the Commanders and Daniels hope White can bring a new dynamic to the offense.