Sunday night felt like the calm before the storm in the NFL world. As the clock ticks towards Monday, teams are gearing up for the legal negotiating period, which kicks off at Noon ET.
This is when players can start discussing potential deals with other teams, although nothing becomes official until the new league year begins on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. ET.
The Washington Commanders are in the spotlight, looking to plug several gaps in their roster. While they might not be the biggest spenders, there's a strong sense that they'll be quite active. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler has highlighted the Commanders as a team to watch when negotiations begin.
Fowler's latest insights suggest the Eagles are keen to re-sign edge rusher Jaelan Phillips, but the Commanders have their eyes on him too. It seems the Cowboys are also interested in the same pool of pass rushers, including Phillips, Odafe Oweh, and Boye Mafe, adding another layer of intrigue.
Wide receiver Alec Pierce is another hot commodity. The Colts are working hard to keep him from hitting free agency, but the Commanders, Raiders, and Titans are eagerly waiting for their chance to make a move come Monday. Romeo Doubs from the Packers is also on the Commanders' radar, though they face stiff competition from other teams.
In the running back department, Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker is attracting attention from the Commanders, Giants, and Titans. Fowler also mentions that the Broncos and Chiefs could be contenders for Walker or perhaps Travis Etienne from the Jaguars. Rico Dowdle of the Panthers is another name linked to Washington.
So, just how busy will the Commanders be? According to Fowler, "The pulse inside the league is that this year could be Washington's most active offseason of the Adam Peters era that began in 2024...while the Commanders might not spend big on every position, they will be a presence."
As the negotiating period kicks off, fans should buckle up for what promises to be an exciting and dynamic offseason.