NFL Rumors: Commanders Missed Out on Another Big Name

March 28, 2026 , ,
Washington Commanders head Coach Dan Quinn reacts on the sidelines during 2025 game.

Washington didn't just sign Odafe Oweh and call it a day. 

According to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic, the Commanders were "very aggressive" in pursuing Trey Hendrickson even after the Oweh deal had already been worked out, meaning GM Adam Peters was prepared to go out and make two major edge rusher additions on the open market simultaneously. 

In the end, Hendrickson chose the Baltimore Ravens on a four-year, $112 million deal with $60 million guaranteed, and Washington was left holding a defense that still needs more from its pass rush after finishing dead last in total defense in 2025.

Why Hendrickson Chose Baltimore Over Washington

Hendrickson is one of the most productive pass rushers in football when healthy, back-to-back 17.5-sack seasons in 2023 and 2024 will do that for your market value. 

But 2025 was a different story. He played just seven games, recorded four sacks, and underwent core muscle surgery. 

He's also 31 and will turn 32 in December. The Ravens gave him $28 million per year and $60 million fully guaranteed, numbers that were actually lower than Hendrickson's camp had hoped for, suggesting the market wasn't quite as hot as anticipated. 

The Commanders, for their part, were looking at a four-year commitment that would have left them with $27 million in dead money if things went sideways, with no viable exit before the 2027 season.

Peters, who is actively trying to get younger and faster on defense, chose to draw the line. Oweh is 27, signed for four years and $96 million with just over $50 million guaranteed at signing, and flashed genuine disruptive ability after arriving via trade from the Los Angeles Chargers midway through last season. 

What's Next for the Commanders' Pass Rush and Defense

Washington still has nearly $50 million in cap space remaining, the most in the NFC, and six draft picks including the seventh overall selection. 

Oweh headlines the edge group, joined by Charles Omenihu and K'Lavon Chaisson on less expensive deals. The Commanders could add another pass rusher through free agency at a lower price point, or address the position in the draft. 

Jhabvala has floated names like Rueben Bain Jr. and Arvell Reese as realistic first-round targets if the board falls a certain way, and Day 2 of this draft is deep enough that Peters could find legitimate edge help without spending a premium pick. 

Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

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