Likely, an unrestricted free agent, could see interest from multiple teams this spring, including the Commanders, who are likely to move on from veteran TE Zach Ertz after his catastrophic knee injury in 2025. “Likely would bring more upside with his catch-and-run ability. A move player in the formation, Likely would also be schemed to create underneath one-on-ones,” Bowen said. In his four seasons with the Ravens, Likely popped off a few times in a run-heavy offense, usually when Mark Andrews was sidelined. Likely since the start of the 2024 season ranks fourth among all tight ends in ESPN’s open score, which measures a player’s ability to separate from defenders. He would be an intriguing fantasy option as an every-down player in Washington.

Per Over The Cap, the Commanders currently have the fifth-most salary cap space with more than $75.4 million available in 2026. Rapoport notes that general manager Adam Peters has been an active trader in recent seasons. Regarding free agency, Rapoport adds that “with a good, young quarterback, the time to spend is now.”

Blough is taking over as offensive coordinator after the Commanders fired Kliff Kingsbury. His first order of business will be to revive the passing game that thrived in 2024 and flopped in 2025. McLaurin probably won’t average 10 opportunities per game in the literal sense. His career-high in targets per game is 8.9. Still, it’s good to see Blough committed to getting the ball in the hands of his team’s best pass-catcher, even if he’s fudging the numbers a little. McLaurin missed most of the offseason last year in search of a new contract and couldn’t stay healthy when he finally rejoined the team. He appeared in just 10 games and posted a 38/582/3 receiving line on the year. Health permitting, McLaurin should return to the WR2 ranks in 2026.

Way made his third Pro Bowl this past year and allowed a career-low 114 return yards. Entering his age-36 season, he’s been with the Commanders since 2014.

Commanders head coach Dan Quinn brought Johnson aboard less than two weeks after being hired, back in February 2024. Johnson served as the Eagles’ quarterbacks coach from 2021-2022 before being promoted to offensive coordinator in 2023. Johnson took the same employment path at Florida before that, going from the quarterbacks coach in 2018-2019 to offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2020.

Simmons originally interviewed for the Steelers’ defensive coordinator vacancy, but that role is expected to go to Patrick Graham. Now Simmons will reunite with Graham and head coach Mike McCarthy. Simmons got his start as a coach in Green Bay and wound up spending nearly a decade there. He has since held the title of defensive pass game coordinator for the Panthers, Raiders, and Commanders.

What is the first order of business for the Mike McCarthy Era? Obviously it’s interviewing his old coaches. Simmons was with McCarthy in Green Bay from 2011-2018. He’s been Washington’s defensive passing game coordinator since 2024.

Jones booked no less than six interviews for defensive coordinator vacancies in the past two weeks, ultimately landing with the Commanders. Details of the signing are not yet available. Jones had a significant hand in a Minnesota defense that held opponents to the fewest pass yards per game in 2025 and now gets his first shot at defensive play calling duties in the Nation’s capitol.

Jones has had several DC interviews since the season ended, though some of those openings have since been filled. The Vikings ranked seventh in points per game allowed this year and led the league in passing yards per game allowed. Jones has primarily coached in Minnesota since joining the professional ranks, but does have stints with the Dolphins and Bengals. Having learned from Brian Flores in Minnesota for a few seasons, Jones should land a DC job sooner rather than later.

Lynn met with the Cleveland brass on Saturday night in Florida. He spoke with the Bills about their head coaching vacancy earlier in the day. Lynn spent four years as the Chargers’ head coach, going 33-31 with one playoff victory. He worked in Detroit as their OC for a year after that. Lynn is respected in league circles but doesn’t fit the archetype of the young offensive wunerdkind that most teams are looking for these days. Still, he could get a second chance at leading a team, particularly in Cleveland, where several candidates have already pulled out of the running.