NFL analyst promotes outrageous Commander trade for elite offensive weapon

Adam Peters is preparing for another crucial offseason. The Washington Commanders are still firmly in the playoff race as the seventh seed. That won’t stop the general manager from making plans and implementing changes to further grow the franchise.

Peters has a plethora of salary cap space – nearly $100 million with 31 players under contract. The Commanders also have seven picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, despite sacrificing assets to acquire Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore via trade from the New Orleans Saints.

This was Peter’s boldest move yet. During his first recruitment period at the helm, he took a methodical approach to renewing his squad. With the Commanders ahead of schedule and the playoffs in sight, the front office boss responded with a more aggressive approach.

Whether this is the start of a lasting trend remains to be seen. Peters will strike when opportunities arise. He will also keep the bigger picture in mind in his long-term plans for sustainable growth.

One NFL analyst pointed to the possibility of jettisoning that ethos and mortgaging Washington’s future in favor of one of the league’s most dynamic playmakers.

Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame urged the Cincinnati Bengals to seriously consider trading stud wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who is looking for a new contract. The analyst believed this was the best way to stabilize his roster overall and maintain flexibility. He also called the Commanders an interesting landing spot for the former first-round pick.

“With the departure of (Ja’Marr) Chase, the Bengals could gain enough major league cap space and draft picks in the future to transform a struggling roster. Cincinnati would undoubtedly trigger a bidding war if Chase were put on the block, which would drive many around the league higher.” Sources say that would already be a historic price. When I look around the NFL, I think there are a few teams that make the most sense for a rookie quarterback who needs more skill position talent to reach his full potential.

– Matt Verderame, SI

Verderame also speculated on what it might cost to acquire the LSU product. As expected, it wouldn’t be peanuts.

Bengals received:

Commanders receive:

That’s an extraordinary amount to give up. Chase is one of the truly elite talents in the NFL, but this would be an outrageous move by Peters that doesn’t seem to fit with his overall ethos.

Not only would commanders be giving up enormous capital, jeopardizing their chances of building a competitive cadre. Chase’s financial situation must also be factored into the equation.

The wideout is looking for a new contract and wants to break the current record of his former LSU teammate Justin Jefferson. The Bengals have a difficult decision to make and don’t have much time to work something out before things get even more complicated.

According to Spotrac, Chase is expected to make an average salary of $31.6 million on a four-year, $126.39 million contract. That might be conservative given the player’s form this season.

The Commanders need to maximize quarterback Jayden Daniels’ rookie contract. You have enough cash left over to pay Chase. Still, Peters might consider this a step too far, even if the Bengals were receptive to offers. That seems highly unlikely.

A pairing of Chase and Terry McLaurin would be nearly unstoppable. But that looks more like a hypothetical pipe dream than anything of substance.

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