The Washington Commanders lost their valuable pass-catching running back J.D. McKissic to the Buffalo Bills in free agency. Many were perplexed by the terms of McKissic’s deal — $7 million over two years with a max value of $8 million.
The Commanders expressed interest in retaining McKissic. Yes, Washington has some salary cap restraints. But letting McKissic walk away for $3.5 million per year, it’s hard to accept.
Except, what if McKissic didn’t allow the Commanders a chance to make a counter offer?
Washington allowed McKissic and their other free agents to test the market. The Commanders had to address the team’s need for a quarterback first. They found that in a trade for Carson Wentz.
Yet, according to The Athletic’s Ben Standig, the Commanders feel they were never given the chance to make match Buffalo’s offer to McKissic.
It’s potentially a big loss for Washington. McKissic hauled in 123 catches out of the backfield over the last two seasons. In 2020, he had an 80-catch season. Not to mention his exceptional pass protection.
Washington feels they were stiff-armed.
McKissic and his representatives may have a different perspective of the situation. Maybe the Commanders giving permission for him to test the market was perceived by McKissic’s group as no offer at all.
Still, it’s more practical for a 28-year old running back to reach back to a team to at least drive up the cost, right? Maybe the Bills’ pitch and the appeal of playing for a Super Bowl contender was too much to turn down?
Playing with a stud QB like Josh Allen is also more appealing than the combo of Carson Wentz and Taylor Heinicke.
Letting players whom you want to retain take offers from other teams is always risky. For whatever reason, things didn’t work out between McKissic and Washington. Now, he moves on to Buffalo and Washington has to turn to Plan B.
