Could Commanders reunite with former third-round pick in free agency?
· Yahoo Sports
The Washington Commanders understand the defense must improve in 2026. Fortunately for Washington, there is plenty of money to rebuild the defense for new coordinator Daronte Jones when free agency opens this week. The Commanders will create even more room when cornerback Marshon Lattimore's release is official in the coming days.
While Washington needs defensive help, the Commanders can't ignore the offensive side of the ball either. Fortunately, Washington is much closer to having a playoff-level offense than to having a playoff-level defense. Quarterback Jayden Daniels, wide receiver Terry McLaurin and a quality offensive line are in place. But the Commanders need more weapons.
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Washington needs another starting wide receiver opposite McLaurin. Additionally, the team needs a receiving tight end, unless they believe Ben Sinnott is ready for a more significant role. The Commanders have only three receivers under contract in 2026: McLaurin, Jaylin Lane and Luke McCaffrey. That's a good start, but not nearly enough. Lane and McCaffrey are still developing. McCaffrey showed flashes before a shoulder injury ended his season. He's still not a No. 2 receiver.
Expect Washington to be linked to every available free agent receiver when free agency opens next week. When, not if, the 49ers move on from Brandon Aiyuk, he could be a target for the Commanders. It also wouldn't be a surprise if they re-signed Treylon Burks. Washington loved Burks after picking him up in October. He would be considered depth, though, and not a starter.
If the Commanders fail to land one of the top free-agent receivers, they could look to a familiar face to bring depth to the receivers' room.
The Commanders spent a third-round pick on wide receiver Dyami Brown in the 2021 NFL Draft. Brown's career never really took off in Washington, but he did finish strong in 2024, developing a rapport with Daniels late in the season. Brown was terrific in the Commanders' first two playoff games and hit free agency at the right time.
Brown signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Commanders liked Brown, but weren't going to match that offer. Brown was expected to be a big part of Jacksonville's offense in 2025, but that never materialized. Instead, Parker Washington enjoyed a breakout season, and the Jags acquired Jakobi Meyers via trade. Myers was so good for the Jaguars that they signed him to a contract extension. Brown was relegated to the bench and finished the year with only 20 receptions for 227 yards and a touchdown.
He's a free agent again, and his value is much lower. Spotrac projects Brown to earn a one-year contract worth $2.1 million in 2026.
That's much more affordable. Would Washington be interested in a reunion? It's important to understand that if the Commanders brought Brown back, it would be as a complementary receiver — not as the No. 2 receiver. So, if Washington determines Aiyuk is healthy and brings him in, Brown could be the perfect No. 3 receiver. He has chemistry with Daniels, he can stretch the field, and the team knows him well.
Will it happen? We shall see.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Could a reunion with Dyami Brown happen in 2026