Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn, center, celebrates with players after a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns during the second half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn, center, celebrates with players after a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns during the second half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
New ownership, new management and a run to the NFC championship in coach Dan Quinn’s first season have made the Washington Commanders one of the league’s top free-agent destinations this year.
“There’s a culture here,” said safety Will Harris, who signed a two-year, $8 million deal on Thursday. “As soon as I heard from them, I knew it immediately. The coaching staff has a plan, and the love is mutual.”
Harris joined a Washington free-agent class that also features cornerback Jonathan Jones and defensive linemen Javon Kinlaw, Deatrich Wise and Eddie Goldman.
Despite entering the offseason with more than $80 million in cap space, Washington’s free agency moves have focused on depth pieces and role players.
Kinlaw’s three-year, $45 million deal was the heftiest, but it wasn’t a bank-breaking contract.
These are not the Dan Snyder-era Commanders.
Under the former owner, Washington was notorious for making splashy moves in free agency. A seven-year, $100 million deal for defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth is routinely listed as one of the worst in league history. Another seven-year, $35 million deal for safety Adam Archuleta set a record for his position.
Those moves didn’t pan out. Haynesworth and Archuleta spent a combined three underwhelming seasons in Washington.
News about the Commanders’ revamped culture quickly spread throughout the league last season. Quinn received the highest grade from players in the NFL Players’ Association annual report card last month.
“Who wouldn’t want to run through a brick wall for Dan?” Harris said.
The locker room buy-in was enough to make players eye a move to the District, even if the team was selective in its contracts. Harris, who played against the Commanders as a member of the Saints last season, said he noticed the team was different as soon as they stepped off the bus.
“You can’t fake juice, you can’t fake enthusiasm, you can’t fake love,” Harris said. “You see all that when you look at this team. That’s evident.”
Even players without deals yet are openly courting the Commanders.
“Washington, high on the priority list. They are an extremely talented team,” free agent safety Justin Simmons said on the “Talkin’ Ball with Pat Leonard” podcast. “They have a good mix, in my opinion, of young, raw talent that is being developed, but also great veteran leadership, guys like Bobby Wagner, Zach Ertz.”
Wagner and Ertz are among the 12 returning Commanders who opted to skip free agency to sign fresh deals in Washington. Their reasons were simple.
“I just love what we’re building here,” Wagner said last week after putting pen to paper. “I love the team. I feel like this is the place.”
“It feels like a family,” Ertz agreed this week. “People truly do care about other people’s success, and I think that is something that is rare in the NFL.”
Washington, which already entered the offseason as a contender thanks to Daniels, has only added to its resume.
Trades for former All-Pro receiver Deebo Samuel and five-time Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil show a Commanders front office that’s ready to win now.
“These guys are ballers. I mean, turn on the film. You got competitors, obviously highly talented guys, but just dog mentality guys,” Harris said. “That type of mindset and that type of culture already existed here, and I’m so glad to be a part of it.”
Less than two years removed from the Snyder era, Washington fans can feel optimistic.
“It’s an exciting time to be a Commander, exciting time to be a Commanders fan,” Ertz said. “We’re doing everything we can to be the team we want to be.”
Washington’s offseason is drawing rave reviews from analysts across the NFL landscape. The measured signings, combined with the blockbuster trades, have longtime commentators showering Peters with praise.
“This offense is rolling. This team is rolling. I love, fundamentally, how they’re building,” Louis Riddick, a former NFL executive and defensive back, said on ESPN.
Elsewhere in the NFL, the Baltimore Ravens made their first major free-agency move of the offseason. They signed wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, a five-time Pro Bowler, on Thursday.
Hopkins, 32, split time between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tennessee Titans last season. He recorded 56 catches for 610 yards with five touchdowns.
The Pittsburgh Steelers signed a quarterback Thursday — though it likely won’t solve the franchise’s uncertain future at the position. Mason Rudolph, who was drafted by the Steelers in 2019 and started five games for the Titans last season, agreed to a two-year, $8 million contract with Pittsburgh.
The Steelers have also had discussions with quarterback Aaron Rodgers about joining coach Mike Tomlin’s squad. The four-time MVP was officially released by the New York Jets on Wednesday but has not signed with a new team.
— This article is based in part on wire service reports.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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