Jonathan Allen is gone and Myles Garrett won’t be coming to save the Washington Commanders’ defensive front.
A busy weekend around the NFL means the Commanders will have to consider other options to plug holes on the defensive line.
Linked to countless trade rumors in the Garrett sweepstakes, the Commanders were left to ponder the what-ifs after the Cleveland Browns signed the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year to one of the richest contracts in NFL history on Sunday at four years for $122.8 million guaranteed. The deal has an average annual salary of $40 million with a total value of $204.8 million.
And Allen, who had been the anchor for Washington’s defensive line since the Commanders drafted him in the first round in 2017, was released by the team Friday. The 30-year-old was entering the final year of his contract and coming back from a pectoral injury that sidelined him for most of 2024.
When he was on the field, the Alabama product failed to produce at the level that made him a franchise cornerstone earlier in his career.
The Commanders, according to analysts around the league, needed a superstar like Garrett. A premier pass rusher could catapult Washington from playoff participants to Super Bowl contenders.
They’ll have a harder time filling that role with Garrett staying in Cleveland. Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson, a reigning All-Pro, is now the top name on the trade block. The cash-strapped Bengals allowed him to seek a trade after contract negotiations stalled.
Washington could also look to one of the elder statesmen who are now on the open market. Former Pro Bowlers Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack and Von Miller will all hit free agency this week. The trio offers name recognition, but they will all be on the wrong side of 30 when the 2025 season kicks off.
The upcoming NFL draft will provide younger options. Draft experts expect a handful of pass rushers will become first-round selections. At pick No. 29, the Commanders will be at the mercy of the teams picking ahead of them. The uber-athletic but raw Shemar Stewart from Texas A&M could fall to Washington. Boston College’s Donovan Ezeiruaku and Georgia’s Mykel Williams are also likely on the Commanders’ radar.
Commanders are set, for a change, at quarterback, but there’s plenty of attention elsewhere on the crop of big-name signal-callers hitting the market, including Sam Darnold, Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Aaron Rodgers technically isn’t a free agent but the New York Jets already said they plan to release him so he’s free to find a new team.
Agents can start negotiating with teams at 12 p.m. Monday when the legal tampering period opens. Players can’t officially sign new deals until the start of the league’s new year at 4 p.m. Wednesday.
Here’s are some of the top non-quarterbacks who were set to hit free agency:
1. Josh Sweat, edge rusher, Philadelphia Eagles
Sweat is set to cash in after an impressive performance in Philadelphia’s 40-22 victory over the Chiefs in the Super Bowl. He had 2 1/2 sacks of Patrick Mahomes. Sweat has averaged eight sacks per season since becoming a starter in 2021.
2. Davante Adams, wide receiver, New York Jets
Adams caught 85 passes for 1,063 yards and eight touchdowns in a down season spent with the Raiders and Jets. He’s a three-time All-Pro who has averaged 103 catches, 1,290 yards and 11 TDs over the past seven seasons. The Rams agreed to a two-year deal with Adams on Sunday.
3. Milton Williams, defensive tackle, Philadelphia Eagles
Williams had two sacks in the Super Bowl and showed he’s ready to play a major role on a defensive line after thriving as a rotational player for the Eagles.
4. Charvarius Ward, cornerback, San Francisco 49ers
A second-team All-Pro in 2023, Ward dealt with adversity last season following the death of his daughter.
5. Carlton Davis, cornerback, Detroit Lions
The seven-year veteran stabilized Detroit’s secondary in his first year with the Lions after spending the first six in Tampa Bay.
6. Chris Godwin, wide receiver, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Coming off a gruesome ankle injury that forced him to miss the final 10 games, the 29-year-old Godwin may not get the massive deal he was on pace for when he had 50 catches for 576 yards in just seven games.
7. Drew Dalman, center, Atlanta Falcons
A reliable starter for a top offensive line, Dalman is the best center on the open market.
8. D.J. Reed, cornerback, New York Jets
He allowed just two TDs last season and opposing QBs completed just 46.3% of their passes against him.
9. Dre Greenlaw, linebacker, San Francisco 49ers
Greenlaw should be all the way back to his old form after returning from an Achilles tendon injury last year.
10. Haason Reddick, edge rusher, New York Jets
Before a holdout ruined his 2024 season, Reddick had 27 sacks in two seasons in Philadelphia.
11. Byron Murphy, cornerback, Minnesota Vikings
Murphy had his best season last year with a career-high six interceptions and allowed a 62.0 passer rating.
12. Amari Cooper, wide receiver, Buffalo Bills
Cooper has had seven 1,000-yard receiving seasons in 10 years. He was limited by injuries when he split time with the Browns and Bills last year.
13. Nick Bolton, linebacker, Kansas City Chiefs
A three-down player and leader for Steve Spagnuolo’s stout defense, the Chiefs made sure Bolton wouldn’t hit the market by agreeing to a deal on Sunday.
14. Jevon Holland, safety, Miami Dolphins
Despite a down season in 2024, Holland is the top safety on the market.
15. Will Fries, right guard, Indianapolis Colts
Despite playing just five games because of a broken tibia, Fries should get a significant deal.
16. Khalil Mack, edge rusher, Los Angeles Chargers
He’s 34 and his sack total dropped from 17 to six last season, but Mack still can provide a boost for teams needing a pass rush specialist.
17. Justin Reid, safety, Kansas City Chiefs
A proven leader who’d be a big upgrade for a secondary.
18. Cam Robinson, left tackle, Minnesota Vikings
Several teams could use a solid anchor to protect their quarterback’s blind side.
19. Stefon Diggs, wide receiver, Houston Texans
Diggs is coming off an ACL injury that limited him to eight games but the four-time Pro Bowl pick could transition well to a slot role.
20. Tre’von Moehrig, safety, Las Vegas Raiders
After a career-high 104 tackles and 10 pass breakups in 2024, Moehrig increased his stock.
21. Mekhi Becton, right guard, Philadelphia Eagles
Becton moved from tackle to guard and revived his career in Philadelphia on one of the league’s best lines.
22. Tevin Jenkins, guard, Chicago Bears
Jenkins is another solid starter who should quickly find a home in free agency.
23. Asante Samuel Jr., cornerback, Los Angeles Chargers
He’s a playmaker despite the criticism he receives for his tackling.
24. Jamien Sherwood, linebacker, New York Jets
He was the best player on a disappointing defense filled with star talent. The Jets locked him in with a deal on Sunday before he could test the market.
25. Josh Myers, center, Green Bay Packers
Myers allowed just one sack last year and has started 50 of the past 51 games.
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