Washington Commanders NFL free agency has been active. Daron Payne was re-signed to a four-year, $90 million contract. Washington then filled other roster vacancies.
Signings strengthened the offensive line. Nick Gates and Andrew Wylie were signed from the New York Giants to strengthen the offensive line. Re-signing center Tyler Larsen added depth.
Jacoby Brissett was the most debated signing. Brissett is a consummate professional who can start games and keep a club afloat or be a great backup.
He may battle Sam Howell for the starting position. The Commanders announced in the offseason that Howell would start in 2023.
Brissett was presumably brought in because entrusting the team to a fifth-round pick is risky. Would the Commanders risk landing a higher-ceiling quarterback?
This Seattle Seahawks move gives them that chance. The Commanders would sell the No. 16 and No. 118 picks in the 2023 NFL Draft and a 2024 first-round pick to Seattle for the No. 5 pick.
That move would be risky if the first four draft picks are quarterbacks. The Commanders' worst-case scenario would be dealing a lot of capital for a top prospect like Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, Anthony Richardson, or Will Levis.
All four of those prospects are higher-rated and have greater ceilings than Howell and would boost the franchise's long-term picture.
Given their personnel, the Commanders may be a quarterback away from NFC contention.