The Washington Commanders recognize they need to make a significant upgrade at starting quarterback. The team is combing the entire landscape in their search. That included calling every NFL team about the availability and cost of a quarterback, according to ESPN’s John Keim.
The Commanders’ search includes 42 quarterbacks. Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers and Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks are at the top of Washington’s list. They’ll pursue the two stud quarterbacks, but the odds of landing either seems slim.
While Rodgers doesn’t have a no-trade clause, the Packers would be inclined to trade him to his preferred destination. The Commanders are not on his destination list, according to ESPN’s Dianna Russini.
Wilson’s dissension with the Seahawks is widely noted the past two offseasons. However, Seattle doesn’t appear to be looking to trade Wilson.
Washington doesn’t see last year’s primary starter Taylor Heinicke as much more than a backup.
Derek Carr, Kirk Cousins and Carson Wentz appear as options. However, like Rodgers and Wilson, the expectation is neither would be traded without their respective teams having an obvious replacement.
The Commanders’ other options include a trade for Jimmy Garoppolo and free agents Mitchell Trubisky and Teddy Bridgewater, per Keim.
Trubisky is being viewed as a rehabilitated quarterback after a year away from Matt Nagy and the Chicago Bears. He also has familiarity with Washington’s recently hired tight ends coach Juan Castillo and left tackle Cornelius Lucas.
Bridgewater knows Washington offensive coordinator Scott Turner well. Turner was his quarterbacks coach with the Minnesota Vikings for three seasons.
The Commanders are looking for a shakeup at quarterback whether it’s via a blockbuster trade or free agent pickup. One thing that’s evident is Washington is doing their due diligence to find a hopeful answer.
