Analyst cautions Commanders with big free agency move

The Washington Commanders might be making a mistake in free agency.

Jeremy Brener | Jan 31, 2025

Jan 12, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws against Washington Commanders linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. (6) during the third quarter of a NFC wild card playoff at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images / Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

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Washington Commanders

The Washington Commanders have handled free agency almost perfectly since general manager Adam Peters arrived a year ago.

However, the Commanders must adapt to their surroundings and figure out what is best for the future.

ESPN analyst Bill Barnwell believes that the Commanders might not make sense as a long-term home for linebacker Dante Fowler Jr.

Sep 29, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Washington Commanders linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. (6) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Why is there reason to worry about Fowler?

"The Commanders have to be careful, as Fowler is 30 years old. Those 10.5 sacks came on just 12 quarterback knockdowns, an unsustainable ratio and one out of line with his career to this point. His 11.5-sack 2019 season led the Falcons to give him a significant deal in free agency, and he responded with 7.5 sacks combined over the next two seasons. It's tough to expect the same results, but he has clearly earned another opportunity to start for Washington in 2025," Barnwell writes.

At 30 years old, Fowler should seek out the open market to see what his best deal is out there. Fowler may not have a better landing spot than the Commanders, who helped revitalize his career, but with this potentially being the final big paycheck he gets in his career, he would be a fool to not explore other options.

The Commanders should be willing to give Fowler a raise, but with other areas in need of addressing, they cannot spend too much time, money and attention on the former No. 3 overall pick.

Stick with CommanderGameday and the Locked On Commanders podcast for more FREE coverage of the Washington Commanders throughout the 2024 season.

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Published Jan 31, 2025

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.