For the Washington Commanders, the wide receiver picture has gotten a little murkier, and a little more interesting, as training camp approaches.
Brandon Aiyuk had long looked like the obvious name to circle, but that idea has lost some steam. He is still with the San Francisco 49ers for now, and even if they do cut him, a move to Washington is no longer a lock. That leaves the Commanders still hunting for a proven veteran to line up opposite Terry McLaurin, especially with several young receivers in the mix and not much certainty behind them.
The good news is that the market still has options. None are clean, perfect fits. But on a one-year deal, a few of these names could make real sense if Washington wants to add experience before camp.
Stefon Diggs is the most obvious one. He has been connected to the Commanders multiple times already, and recent developments around Aiyuk may have pushed him even higher on the list.
Diggs is 32, but he still posted another 1,000-yard season and led the AFC champion Patriots in receiving. He is also from the DMV and wants to come home, which makes this feel like one of those deals that could work for both sides.
Tyreek Hill is the wild card in the group. He is also 32, and he is coming off a major injury that included multiple torn ligaments, including an ACL, plus a dislocated kneecap.
When healthy, he has been the most explosive and dangerous receiver in the league over the last decade. If he returns to that level, he would change Washington’s offense in 2026.
But that is the problem: nobody can really know what he has left, and he does not look like a fit for the Commanders.
Deebo Samuel is still sitting there too, which is a bit surprising. He led Washington with 72 catches last season and showed he can still produce, even if he spent a lot of time in a role that was not exactly what the team originally had in mind.
The issue is pretty simple: the Commanders already have enough slot-type options. What they need is a receiver who can win on the outside, and Samuel is better suited inside.
Washington likes him, but he does not fill the specific need they have in 2026.
Curtis Samuel is a name that might catch some people off guard. Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic mentioned him as a possibility, and yes, this is the same Curtis Samuel who spent three seasons with Washington from 2021-23.
He was released in March after two seasons with the Bills. He remains close with McLaurin from their time at Ohio State and in Washington, and while injuries have limited him - he played only two games last season - he is still just 29.
Jhabvala noted he is not an ideal No. 2 receiver at this stage, but he can still create separation.
DeAndre Hopkins is another veteran outside option worth considering. He is 34, a five-time Pro Bowler, and has played for three teams over the last three seasons.
Unlike some of the other names on this list, he does bring outside production. The question is how much is still in the tank.
Last season with the Ravens, he played in 17 games and finished with 22 catches for 330 yards and two touchdowns in a part-time role.
Keenan Allen rounds out the group, and he may be the most intriguing of the slot-heavy options. Allen had a long, productive run with the Chargers before being traded to the Bears in 2024, then went back to Los Angeles after one season.
Last year, he played all 17 games and caught 81 passes for four touchdowns. He is 34 and still getting open, which is really the calling card here.
In Other News...
Commanders Suddenly Linked To A Veteran Speed Threat For Jayden Daniels
With training camps drawing closer, the list of notable unsigned veterans still includes some of the leagues most recognizable names, and that has naturally turned attention toward teams that could use a late offensive boost. For Washington, the appeal is easy to understand: Jayden Daniels is entering a season where every bit of help around him matters, and the idea of adding another proven playmaker to the receiver room has become part of the conversation as front-office speculation around the market continues.
Tyreek Hill is among the biggest names still out there, and the chatter around his next stop has only intensified because the remaining options are being weighed against fit, health and contract structure. Stefon Diggs has also stayed in the mix for teams looking at veteran receiver help, while Deebo Samuel remains another familiar name tied to Washingtons broader offseason conversation, leaving the Commanders among the clubs watching a market that still has several moving parts and no shortage of possibilities. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Finally Made The Uniform Change Fans Have Been Waiting For
After years of fan debate over what Washington should look like, the Commanders are making a noticeable shift for 2026 by bringing their Super Bowl-era throwback design back as the primary uniform. The move gives the franchise a more familiar identity while still letting ownership frame it as a modern update, with Josh Harris saying the changes are meant to honor the teams heritage as much as refresh the look.
There is also a new alternate set in the mix, an all-black look called the Hail Raiser that adds a sharper edge to the rotation. Sports Illustrated already slotted the Commanders new uniform package No. 8 among NFL teams, which should only add to the conversation as Washington leans into a cleaner, more nostalgic presentation with a little more swagger on the side. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders May Have Found Another Backfield Steal Fans Did Not See Coming
The Commanders spent another late-round pick on a running back who fits a very specific need, taking Kaytron Allen in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft and adding a sturdy power runner to a backfield that keeps getting crowded. Washington has reason to think it may have found value again after getting unexpected production from a Day 3 back a year ago, and Allen arrives with a clear path to earn attention in camp.
Allen is entering training camp with more on his checklist than just grinding out tough yards near the goal line. The Commanders want to see whether he can grow into a bigger role as a receiver and blocker too, which would separate him from the pack as he fights for playing time in a room full of competitors and tries to make a case for a meaningful rookie-season role. [Read more 🡒]