Washington Commanders general manager Martin Mayhew spoke with reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. One of the highlights of his presser was him revealing, the Commanders will allow their free agents to test the market.
“We want to get a sense for where they are contractually,” Mayhew said per Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post. “We want to explain to them that we aren’t ready to make an offer right now but we do want them back and they have the opportunity to go out when the negotiation period begins in a week or so. They will have the opportunity to go out and talk to other teams.”
The Commanders are kicking all tires on a quarterback. Their options include top-tier QB’s such as Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers. However, they have shown interest in Jimmy Garoppolo of the San Francisco 49ers in a trade.
Pending free agents Mitchell Trubisky, Marcus Mariota and Teddy Bridgewater may also be an option. Thus, what the team does in free agency will be put on hold while they search for a quarterback.
Fortunately for Washington, the list of their pending free agents won’t command huge money outside of Pro Bowl right guard Brandon Scherff. Scherff is expected to sign with a different team after being franchise tagged two years in a row by Washington.
Running back JD McKissic, safety Bobby McCain and wide receiver Cam Sims are considered to be at the top of the Commanders’ list to re-sign. The market for neither suggests they’ll get huge money or be quick signings.
If there’s anything to take from the situation, the Commanders have identified quarterback as priority number 1. Until they have a fix or realize they have to turn to the draft for the solution, everything else, including free agency will deserve patience.
