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Washington Commanders News & Rumors

Commanders Sign WR Michael Gallup

March 20th, 2025 at 12:38pm CST by Sam Robinson

4:25pm: Unsurprisingly for a player making an NFL comeback, Gallup will sign with the Commanders on a one-year veteran minimum contract worth up to $1.335MM, per Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post. With six accrued seasons, his base salary will be $1.17MM, indicating that the deal includes $165k in incentives, though full contract details have not yet been reported.

12:38pm: Add another ex-Cowboy to Dan Quinn‘s Commanders roster. After making a visit to Washington early in free agency, Michael Gallup signed with the Commanders on Thursday.

Gallup visited the Commanders last week and scheduled a Seahawks meeting as well, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets. Gallup will make his comeback attempt for a team rostering a few former Cowboys. Noah Brown is among them, as the ex-Dallas wideout re-signed with Washington last week.

The Commanders’ receiver room is becoming crowded. Beyond the two former Cowboy cogs, the team traded for Deebo Samuel and re-signed K.J. Osborn. Third-round pick Luke McCaffrey is going into his second season. Gallup could add an interesting piece to the Commanders’ Terry McLaurin support stable, but he had trended downward before a 2024 retirement.

Signing with the Raiders after becoming a Cowboys cap casualty, Gallup did not end up playing in Las Vegas. He instead stepped away from the game before training camp. While this did give Gallup a year to rest up — well after an ACL tear came to define his career — his recent exit may provide an uphill battle regarding a spot on Washington’s 53-man roster. But Gallup has shown a gear Brown and the other batch of tertiary options in Washington have not.

Gallup posted an 1,107-yard season with the Cowboys, moving into four-digit territory (his only such season) in 2019. This came before the Cowboys drafted CeeDee Lamb. Still, Lamb’s arrival did not diminish Gallup’s role too much. Despite Dak Prescott going down early in the 2020 season, Gallup totaled 59 receptions for 843 yards and five touchdowns. These two seasons enticed Dallas to re-sign Gallup on a five-year, $57.25MM deal in 2022. Dallas re-signed Gallup rather than keep Amari Cooper for a third season; that became the wrong decision, as the former third-round pick could not live up to his midlevel WR deal.

A December 2021 ACL tear sidetracked Gallup, who missed eight games that year due to multiple injuries. Although Gallup returned in Week 4 of the 2022 season, he has not flashed the same form since the setback. After catching 39 passes for 424 yards and four TDs in 2022, the 6-foot-1 wideout totaled just 418 yards and two scores in 2023. This prompted the Cowboys to move on, as big-ticket Lamb and Prescott paydays loomed. Gallup will look to recapture some of his pre-injury form, and he is running out of chances.

Samuel will be in position as Washington’s No. 2 receiver next season, leaving McCaffrey, Osborn and the ex-Cowboys to vie for auxiliary roles. Gallup brings success in the past and impressed the Commanders at last week’s visit in order for the NFC runner-up to circle back and greenlight a comeback opportunity.

Commanders, Deebo Samuel Agree To Reworked Deal

March 19th, 2025 at 2:30pm CST by Sam Robinson

No immediate Deebo Samuel extension followed his Washington arrival, separating this trade of a 2019 second-round wideout from the trades involving D.K. Metcalf and A.J. Brown. Samuel will be assured of a nice 2025 payout, at least.

Samuel’s near-$17MM base salary will become fully guaranteed, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who adds $3MM in incentives will be attached to this revised agreement. That said, not too much has changed here; that may be more notable than any updated guarantee.

Metcalf agreed to a four-year, $128MM extension upon being traded to Pittsburgh. The ex-Seahawk joined Samuel in entering the NFL in the ’19 second round, and while Metcalf does not have a first-team All-Pro honor on his resume like the ex-49er does, he has been a more consistent player since each signed second contracts during 2022 training camp. Samuel saw injuries and modest performances ding his trade value, making the Commanders’ add more of a flier. Trade cost also separated this swap from the Steelers-Seahawks exchange, as Seattle obtained a second-round pick for Metcalf.

Samuel, 28, receiving guarantees early is not especially notable; as a vested veteran, he would have secured them shortly before Week 1. Remaining in a contract year, however, is key here. The Commanders may well look to evaluate their trade acquisition’s fit alongside Terry McLaurin, who joins Metcalf in having a more consistent career. Samuel’s best work has bettered both, but it has been a while since the versatile playmaker has made top-flight contributions.

Accumulating 1,770 scrimmage yards in 2021, Samuel powered the 49ers’ passing attack during Jimmy Garoppolo‘s final full season as the team’s starter. Samuel did improve on his 2022 dud with a 12-touchdown 1,117-yard 2023, but he struggled again in 2024. The 49ers moved on from Samuel after the near-$24MM-AAV player totaled just 670 receiving yards last year. The Commanders providing an extension now would not exactly be called for, given the South Carolina alum’s unreliability and potential durability concerns.

Still, Washington has secured what should be a substantial WR2 upgrade after being unable to provide McLaurin with a quality complementary option throughout the former third-rounder’s run. Samuel will give Jayden Daniels an interesting inside option, and the presence of Austin Ekeler may ensure not many handoffs go on Samuel’s odometer (202 career carries) this season. For now, though, the Commanders will wait and see on their trade asset’s post-2025 future.

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/18/25

March 18th, 2025 at 8:32pm CST by Ely Allen

Tuesday’s minor transactions:

Chicago Bears

Detroit Lions

Las Vegas Raiders

Minnesota Vikings

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Washington Commanders

Clapp returns to the Big Easy after three seasons away from the team. Clapp has enjoyed more opportunities to start with the Chargers and Bills over the past three years after only starting seven of 34 game appearances in New Orleans. He’ll likely serve as a reliable backup to Erik McCoy who has missed 19 games in the last four seasons, including 10 last year.

Commanders’ Laremy Tunsil: Texans Prioritized Other Players For Extensions

March 17th, 2025 at 7:10pm CST by Adam La Rose

One of the more notable moves during the opening stages of free agency was the trade sending Laremy Tunsil from the Texans to the Commanders. The move came as a bit of a surprise, especially as Tunsil represented one of Houston’s only reliable lineman following a 2024 campaign where C.J. Stroud finished second in sacks.

While speaking with reporters today, the lineman revealed that the Texans’ decision was financially motivated. Tunsil said the Texans were prioritizing extensions for younger players, making his lucrative contract untenable.

“Pretty much, they’re just trying to keep the young guys together,” Tunsil said (via NFL.com’s Nick Shook). “It’s as simple as that … They drafted some young guys, and they hit on every draft pick. They’re trying to keep those guys together, so I fully understand … It’s no hard feelings. At the end of the day, it’s a business. I don’t take anything personal. It’s no hard feelings against the Houston Texans.”

Tunsil is plenty familiar with switching teams, as the lineman was once traded from Miami for a pair of first-round picks. Still attached to a three-year, $75MM deal, the lineman’s trade package in 2025 was highlighted by a second- and third-round pick. Tunsil was still productive during his age-30 season. He continued his three-year run as a top-20 offensive tackle via Pro Football Focus, and he finished this past year ranked 10th in pass rush win rate.

While Houston couldn’t budget for his impending cap hits, the Commanders were more than happy to take him on to their squad. With no remaining guaranteed money on his contract, the Commanders will still likely have to budget for some kind of extension with the veteran, although the team was surely preparing for that when they made the trade.

Ben Levine contributed to this post.

Commanders To Re-Sign DL Clelin Ferrell

March 15th, 2025 at 9:47am CST by Ben Levine

The Commanders continue to retain many of their own free agents. The latest addition to the list is defensive lineman Clelin Ferrell, who is re-signing with the organization, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. It’s a new one-year contract for the veteran, per ESPN’s John Keim.

Ferrell joined Washington last offseason, inking a one-year deal with the organization. The veteran ended up appearing in 14 games (10 starts) for his new squad, collecting 26 tackles and 3.5 sacks while getting into more than 40 of the Commanders’ defensive snaps.

The 27-year-old only ranked 110th among 199 qualifying edge defenders on Pro Football Focus’ leader boards, but he was closer to league average in previous stops. The fourth-overall pick in 2019, Ferrell struggled to live up to his draft billing while playing with the Raiders, but he still finished his four-year tenure with 10 sacks. He spent the 2023 campaign with the 49ers, where he started all 17 games.

Following the Commanders’ surprising run to the NFC Championship Game, the team has put in an effort to re-sign many of their free agents. On defense, the team has retained cornerback Noah Igbinoghene, linebacker/special-teamer Nick Bellore, and D-line cog Sheldon Day.

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/14/25

March 14th, 2025 at 10:25pm CST by Ely Allen

Friday’s minor NFL moves after a busy week of transactions:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Buffalo Bills

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

New York Giants

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

Commanders To Add OL Nate Herbig

March 14th, 2025 at 2:19pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Steelers’ brother tandems are thinning out, as the Herbigs will go by way of the Watt pair on the roster. Nate Herbig is heading to Washington on a one-year deal, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler tweets.

A 30-game starter during his career, Herbig was to open last season as Pittsburgh’s starting center. But a shoulder injury ended Herbig’s season before it could begin. While this opened the door for rookie Zach Frazier, Herbig will leave for another opportunity.

Also rostering outside linebacker Nick Herbig, the Steelers employed Nate for two seasons. They used him in 17 games (two starts) in 2023, though the older of the Herbig brothers enjoyed more prominent roles elsewhere. The Eagles used Nate Herbig as a 17-game starter from 2020-21, while he started all 11 games he played for the 2022 Jets.

The Commanders are planning on moving the former UDFA into the guard mix, Fowler adds. Washington has Tyler Biadasz locked in at center and Sam Cosmi entrenched at right guard. The team signed Nick Allegretti from the Chiefs in 2024, pairing him with ex-Kansas City teammate Andrew Wylie at RT. Laremy Tunsil is taking over at left tackle after this week’s trade.

Displaced LT Brandon Coleman could loom as a swingman, while the Commanders also brought back interior swing Michael Deiter and fellow backup Trenton Scott on Thursday night. Herbig, 26, is dropped into a crowded situation.

That said, Herbig was on track to at least play in front of Frazier to open the 2024 Steelers’ season. Pittsburgh placing him on IR (with a torn rotator cuff) before setting its 53-man roster nixed that path, and Frazier is now the team’s surefire center starter after going off the 2024 draft board in Round 2. The Steelers still have the Heyward brothers, but Derek Watt‘s retirement coming as the Steelers’ two Edmundses disbanded leaves them with only the DL-TE tandem after Nate Herbig’s Friday move. Two years remain on Nick Herbig’s rookie deal.

Commanders Re-Sign Michael Deiter, Trent Scott, Nick Bellore, Sheldon Day

March 13th, 2025 at 7:31pm CST by Sam Robinson

Already retaining two auxiliary wide receivers today (Noah Brown, K.J. Osborn) and cornerback Noah Igbinoghene, the Commanders are adding several other 2024 holdovers to their immense Thursday re-signing ledger.

The 2024 NFC runner-up reached agreements to retain offensive linemen Michael Deiter and Trent Scott, along with veteran linebacker/special-teamer Nick Bellore and D-line cog Sheldon Day, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo, the Washington Post’s Nicki Jhabvala and ESPN.com’s John Keim.

Deiter, Day and Scott are coming back on one-year deals, while Jhabvala notes Bellore is staying on a two-year pact. If this was not enough of a roster-ballooning effort today, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport adds the Commanders are signing edge rusher Jacob Martin to a one-year deal worth up to $3MM. Unlike the above quartet, Martin was not a Commander in 2024. He will come over from the Bears.

Deiter and Scott worked as utility pieces on Washington’s O-line, combining to start three regular-season games. Scott, however, drew a right guard start after Sam Cosmi went down during the team’s divisional-round loss.

Deiter, 28, is a five-year veteran who previously played for the Dolphins and Texans. Miami used Deiter as a 23-game starter, while he lined up as a 10-game starter — mostly at center — in 2023. Scott, 30, has ventured from the Chargers to the Panthers to the Steelers to the Commanders. In addition to his NFC championship game start, he caught a touchdown pass in his Washington debut season.

Day has connections to GM Adam Peters from San Francisco. Having just four regular-season starts in nine seasons, Day logged three playoff starts for the Super Bowl LIV-bound 49ers. The veteran defensive tackle logged a 35% snap rate for the Commanders last season, notching two tackles for loss and a pass deflection. Day, 30, and Javon Kinlaw were not 49ers teammates, with the former going on a four-team odyssey by the time Kinlaw arrived (2020) in San Francisco, but Peters was in San Francisco during each DT’s tenure.

The Commanders still value Bellore ahead of an age-36 season. He came over after four Seattle seasons (two special-teamer Pro Bowl nods) and logged a 76% snap rate on ST snaps. Bellore, who dabbled at fullback previously, saw one defensive snap last season.

Martin, 29, comes over after a host of rotational pass-rushing roles. Involved in the Seahawks-Texans Jadeveon Clowney trade in 2019, Martin is now on team No. 7. Also traded to the Broncos at the 2022 deadline, Martin moved to the Colts in 2022 and Bears in ’23. He has combined for five sacks over the past two seasons, registering 21 during a six-year career. He joins a Commanders team that returns Dan Quinn pickup Dorance Armstrong but not yet Dante Fowler, the team’s 2024 sack leader. Given the reunion spree, it would surprise if the Commanders were not considering re-signing Fowler as well.

Commanders To Re-Sign Noah Igbinoghene

March 13th, 2025 at 4:55pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Commanders used Noah Igbinoghene as a starter for much of the 2024 season, and he will remain in place for 2025. The former first-round corner is re-signing with Washington, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

[RELATED: Commanders To Sign CB Jonathan Jones]

Igbinoghene struggled to carve out a role during his time with the Dolphins. The 30th-overall pick in the 2020 draft, the cornerback was limited to only 32 games across three seasons in Miami. He was traded to the Cowboys as part of the Kelvin Joseph trade ahead of the 2023 campaign, but he only got into five games with his new squad.

Despite his lack of action in Dallas, he was recruited by former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn to join him in Washington for the 2023 season. Igbinoghene proceeded to have a career year with the Commanders, starting 10 of his 17 appearances while finishing with 55 tackles and seven passes defended. Pro Football Focus wasn’t all that impressed by his efforts, grading him as the second-worst CB among 116 qualifying players.

Still, the Commanders seem to value the continuity in their secondary, as Igbinoghene will at least be temporarily penciled in towards the top of the depth chart. Mike Sainristil and Marshon Lattimore are still slated to earn the bulk of the snaps at the position, but Igbinoghene should still get reps at nickelback. He will have some additional competition, though, as the team brought in former Patriots mainstay Jonathan Jones yesterday.

Ben Levine contributed to this post.

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