The NFL’s 2026 free agency period is around the corner, and there’s indication that the Washington Commanders intend to become active in free agency. The Commanders have plenty of holes to fill on both offense and defense. The first player they need to pursue and sign to a lucrative contract is Cincinnati Bengals’ defensive end Trey Hendrickson.
The previous statement goes against how Washington general manager Adam Peters handles negotiations. Peters’ most notable negotiation of note revolved around wide receiver Terry McLaurin before the start of last season. The negotiation between McLaurin and the Commanders’ front office showed that the organization is slow to commit top dollars to players either in or approaching 30 years of age. Longtime Commanders’ fans have endured countless big name players signing lucrative free agent contracts with diminishing returns. That may give Washington’s front office pause to sign Hendrickson, as he turned 31 this past December.
However, Hendrickson is one of the NFL’s premier pass rushers. A four time Pro Bowler, Hendrickson led the NFL in sacks with 17.5 in 2024. Unfortunately, Hendrickson’s 2025 season was limited to only seven games after being placed on injured reserve due to a core muscle injury on December 11. For his career, Hendrickson has recorded 81 sacks in nine years as an NFL veteran. He would bolster a Commanders’ defensive front that hasn’t had a premier pass rusher that puts fear in opposing offensive lines in quite a while. Hendrickson would definitely solidify a Washington defense that ranked last in total yards allowed and 27th in points allowed.
Pessimistic Commanders’ fans might want the organization to solidify the team’s skill positions on offense via free agency or the draft. It’s easy to see why as quarterback Jayden Daniels looks to return from his own injury filled 2025 season. Fans must realize that Washington is actually a rebuilding team, and it’s difficult to imagine that they’ll come close to the great offensive play that was the foundation of their 2024 season. A successful NFL defense focuses on their ability to get to the quarterback. Despite Hendrickson being likely to command a yearly salary north of $30 million as a defensive end, his talent is too great to ignore. For that reason, the Commanders need to pursue Hendrickson and offer him a deal so lucrative that he cannot say no.
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