The Washington Commanders spent much of their offseason trying to fix a roster that went 5-12 last year, and the biggest lesson from their free-agency reset was simple: stop chasing names that are too old or too worn down to move the needle. They needed veterans, sure. They just needed the right kind.
That thinking showed up most clearly at wide receiver, where Washington took its time finding a legitimate partner for Terry McLaurin near the top of the depth chart. The answer eventually arrived last month with Stefon Diggs, the former Maryland star returning to the DMV. But before that deal came together, the Commanders were in on several younger receiver options - including former Green Bay Packer Romeo Doubs.
Doubs had real interest from Washington and reportedly came close to landing there, but he ultimately turned down the Commanders’ offer and chose New England instead.
Romeo Doubs entertained tangible interest from the #Commanders and it was very close in the end, but he chooses NE. https://t.co/L7M47hf9m2
That decision gave Washington a pretty clear outcome: it avoided paying a hefty price for a player who didn’t exactly light up his Patriots debut. New England’s season opener against the Seattle Seahawks ended in a brutal 13-10 loss, and Doubs was quiet throughout it. He failed to catch any of his three targets from Drake Maye.
Brown - whom the Patriots had traded for as a Diggs replacement - didn’t fare much better before leaving in the first half with a high-ankle sprain.
The Patriots appeared to have found a useful replacement for Diggs, but the opener told a different story. Brown’s injury and Doubs’ empty stat line left New England scrambling, and the offense eventually leaned on the taller Mack Hollins as Maye searched in vain for a game-winning drive.
Romeo Doubs disasterclasspic.twitter.com/sWHOeda0vK
For Washington, the contrast is pretty clean. Diggs won’t be asked to carry the whole downfield load in the way he did at times in New England, even after crossing the 1,000-yard mark again in his lone Patriots season. He still has work to do building chemistry with Jayden Daniels, and that connection is not where McLaurin’s relationship with the quarterback already is.
Stefon Diggs has been impressed with Jayden Daniels arm talent. Diggs told me the chemistry is still a work in progress because the QB-WR duo is striving for perfection. pic.twitter.com/RTdOhMj1W1
But Washington’s receiving room gives him a little breathing room, and that matters as he gets closer to his mid-30s. He’s in a spot where he doesn’t have to be the entire offense’s lifeline. And after missing on Doubs, the Commanders can at least take some comfort in the fact that they landed the cheaper, more proven option.
Diggs now heads into a tough trip to face the Philadelphia Eagles, and if he adds anything meaningful to this offense, Washington may end up feeling even better about the money it saved by letting the Patriots take the swing on Doubs.
In Other News...
Commanders May Be Nearing The End With One Of Their Steadiest Veterans
Tress Way has been one of the most familiar and steady faces in Washington since taking over punting duties in 2014, and the veteran specialist is now openly acknowledging the finish line may be coming into view. Way told reporters the 2026 season could be his last, and he has already let general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn know he is strongly considering retirement.
For a player who has earned three Pro Bowl selections and was recently voted a team captain for the fifth time, the possibility carries real weight inside a locker room that has long leaned on his consistency and professionalism. Way has been part of so much of the franchises recent history that his decision will resonate well beyond special teams, even if the final call is still ahead. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Depth Chart Just Settled A Few Camp Battles Early
The first depth chart of the 2026 season gave the Commanders an early snapshot of where a few camp competitions stand after the opening stretch of work. Treylon Burks showed up as the third receiver ahead of rookie Antonio Williams, while undrafted rookie Tanoa Togiai landed backup spots at both guard positions, giving Washington a clearer picture of how the early roster puzzle is taking shape on offense.
On the other side of the ball, the back end of the defense stayed mostly familiar, with the top cornerbacks and safeties holding their places. Special teams brought one of the more notable developments, too, as Stevens emerged as the new kicker after beating out Jake Moody, another sign that the roster is starting to sort itself out even if a few jobs still have plenty of camp left to play. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Fans Will Have Strong Feelings About This Kyle Shanahan Debate
Kyle Shanahans name has a way of stirring things up in Washington, even when there is no real movement behind the scenes. NFL insider Jason La Canfora recently floated the idea that Shanahans time with the 49ers could come to an end after the upcoming season, and from there the discussion quickly turned to the Commanders, where the connection is obvious enough to get attention. For a franchise still sorting out its long-term identity, any conversation involving Shanahan naturally pulls fans into the larger debate about what the next era could look like.
Still, the path from speculation to reality looks extremely narrow right now. Shanahan is under contract, has his own history with the organization, and his career has long pointed in a different direction than a return to Washington in either a head coach or offensive coordinator role. For now, there have been no official moves or decisions, which leaves this as more of a fan-friendly debate than a true pursuit, even if it is the kind of possibility Commanders supporters will keep talking about. [Read more 🡒]