Commanders Extend S Jeremy Reaves

Jeremy Reaves was on course to spend 2026 as a pending free agent. That will no longer be the case, however.

The veteran safety signed an extension on Thursday, per a team announcement. Terms of the deal were not announced. At a minimum, today’s news ensures Reaves will remain on the books through 2027. Every game in his eight-year career has been spent in Washington.

Reaves entered the league as an undrafted free agent of the Eagles, but he soon found himself in the nation’s capital. Over time, he has established himself as a useful contributor on defense and special teams. Reaves’ playing time has fluctuated over the years, with a notable safety snap share in place for 2020 and ’21. The following season, Reaves was used sparingly on defense but he earned first-team All-Pro acclaim and a Pro Bowl nod for his work on special teams.

The South Alabama product has played on a string of short-term deals over the course of his career. Reaves inked a two-year, $6MM contract in 2024; a one-year extension came about the following offseason. This latest accord will presumably carry a value similar to his recent ones without tying the Commanders to a lengthy commitment. Prior to today’s news, Reaves was set to collect $2.65MM in 2026, with a portion of that already guaranteed. A modest top-up in terms of locked-in compensation could be coming.

During Dan Quinn‘s first season leading the Commanders, Reaves was used almost exclusively on special teams. Things changed dramatically in 2025, though, as the 29-year-old logged 708 defensive snaps. That represented by far the most of his career in that regard. It will be interesting to see how Reaves is used moving forward.

Washington’s secondary has seen several changes early in free agency. The team has added Nick Cross at the safety spot, something which should put him in line for a first-team gig. If so, Reaves could return to third phase duties while offering the Commanders an experienced backup option.