The Washington Commanders have already been active in the trade market this offseason, but one NFL analyst believes general manager Adam Peters could still make another major move before shifting focus to the 2025 NFL Draft.
Peters understands the significance of the next three seasons, with Jayden Daniels on a rookie contract and already showing the potential to be an NFL MVP contender. While making aggressive acquisitions wasn’t initially part of Washington’s plan, securing a franchise quarterback has opened the door for bold roster moves.
The Commanders made their first major splash by trading for Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore. They then dealt a fifth-round pick for wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. and invested additional assets to acquire standout left tackle Laremy Tunsil. With their championship window in sight, Peters remains determined to make the necessary roster upgrades.
One area where Washington could still benefit from a game-changing addition is pass-rushing. While they brought in veteran reinforcements in free agency and re-signed Clelin Ferrell, the team still lacks a dominant edge rusher capable of taking over games.
Commanders projected to target Trey Hendrickson via trade despite recent activity
Logan Ulrich from NFL Trade Rumors thought the Commanders should make a play for Trey Hendrickson despite landing Samuel and Tunsil this offseason. The analyst believes this is the all-in move Washington needs to make in pursuit of getting over the hump next time around.
“There’s a reason [Adam] Peters has been that aggressive, however, as the ascendance of QB Jayden Daniels has made Washington a legitimate Super Bowl contender. They were one game away from playing for a Lombardi last year in the first year under Peters, HC Dan Quinn and [Jayden] Daniels. A pedal-to-the-floor approach to maximize the window of Daniels’ rookie contract makes sense, and one of the remaining needs for the Commanders is more juice at pass rush. They’re one of the teams so far that’s been linked to having trade interest in [Trey] Hendrickson.”
Hendrickson is a top-tier edge rusher, delivering All-Pro-level production and offering a significant upgrade over the current options on the Commanders’ roster. However, several obstacles must be addressed before a potential deal can materialize.
The Cincinnati Bengals have set a steep asking price for Hendrickson—reportedly a first-round pick—despite prioritizing their financial resources to retain key offensive players. With only five selections in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Commanders would need Cincinnati to lower its demands for a trade to be feasible.
Another challenge is Hendrickson’s contract situation. He has one year remaining on his deal and carries a $18.66 million cap hit for 2025. Washington currently has $20.98 million in cap space with 62 players under contract. While an extension could help reduce that figure, it would require a significant financial commitment, especially given the lucrative deals recently signed by pass-rushers like Maxx Crosby and Myles Garrett.
Although acquiring Hendrickson would undoubtedly strengthen Washington’s defense, the likelihood of a trade happening appears lower than it did a few weeks ago. Still, if Adam Peters believes Hendrickson is the missing piece to push the Commanders toward Super Bowl contention, he won’t hesitate to make a move.
