It’s time for the Washington Commanders to go all in to get a cornerback and edge rusher before Tuesday’s 4 p.m. trade deadline.
The Commanders are the biggest topic around Washington. That presidential election thing? It’s later that night.
As impossible as the Commanders’ sudden rise seems with their best start since 1996, it only gets harder starting with AFC North leader Pittsburgh on Sunday. Four later days, it’s a road game in Philadelphia for the NFC East lead.
Washington’s 27-22 slugfest over the New York Giants proved its mettle. That was an NFC East throwback to smashmouth days of long ago and the Commanders threw the haymakers. The Giants came for blood after a Week 2 loss and a 2-6 record that desperately needed spark for the season’s second half.
Both teams essentially said “We’re running over you. Try to stop us.” Last man standing stuff. And, Washington adjusted and survived.
That’s how winning is made.
But, the Commanders (7-2) still need some help. The pass rush isn’t enough and leaves a suspect secondary even more vulnerable. Benjamin St-Juste needs to come off the top receiver, but with Emmanuel Forbes benched and forgotten, the former is all Washington has.
That won’t cut it in January when the best receivers and quarterbacks make the playoffs more shootout than standoffs. Washington needs both a pass rusher and a cornerback.
Fortunately, both positions allow midseason moves. They’re not so reliant on other players as some positions. The edge rusher heads for the quarterback. The corner stays with the receiver.
Washington general manager Adam Peters has been a gridiron Picasso finding help in the team’s biggest one-year roster flip since 1945. The magic brush needs two more moves to bolster a Super Bowl run.
Dangle Forbes and picks. While Forbes may seem useless to the Commanders, the 2023 first-rounder will interest coaches who believe they can fix him. Think not? Peters gained a third-rounder from Philadelphia for 2022 first-rounder Jahan Dotson (and a fifth-round pick), who has seven catches for the Eagles. It's almost a measure of revenge for the Donovan McNabb trade. Teams will be interested in Forbes’ potential plus his deal for three more seasons should he succeed.
But, Forbes is an add-on to lower the draft compensation. Someone’s going to want a first- or second-rounder for a starter. Adding Forbes lowers it one round.
It’s time for Washington to make a big move for the postseason because there’s no guarantee the Commanders reach it. The last 7-2 start saw the Redskins finish 9-7 and miss the playoffs. There’s no guarantee the team will be even better in coach Dan Quinn’s second season given the many one-year deals and quarterback Jayden Daniels’ sophomore season that is sometimes harder. Ask Chase Young.
Now – do whatever it takes to win a title. Detroit will be tough to beat in the NFC playoffs with home advantage. Kansas City – despite seemingly playing worse than ever – continues to be the kings of the AFC.
It’s a big ask to believe Washington can make a serious run with a suspect defense against the powerhouses. That’s why there are a couple of moves left on the chessboard.
Because it may be now or never and Commanders fans know what forever feels like.