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By Rowan Fisher-Shotton
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The Washington Commanders entered the 2026 offseason intent on surrounding franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels with more playmakers.
After a year that showed flashes of Daniels’ star potential, the front office pushed early free-agency moves to accelerate the team’s timeline.
That work continued Friday when the franchise agreed to terms on wideouts Dyami Brown and Van Jefferson.
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Jefferson posted 29 catches for 350 yards last season with the Tennessee Titans, while Brown, who began his career in Washington, recorded 20 catches for 227 yards with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Both deals are reportedly for one year, adding veteran depth and complementary skill sets that should help stabilize Washington’s receiving room while giving Daniels more reliable options downfield.
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Daniels quickly became the centerpiece of Washington’s rebuild.
The Commanders selected the former LSU Tigers football star with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, betting on his dual-threat ability and dynamic playmaking to lead the franchise into a new era.
The early returns were encouraging.
As a rookie in 2024, Daniels threw for 3,568 yards and 25 touchdowns while completing 69% of his passes, while also adding 891 rushing yards and six scores on the ground.
Those numbers cemented his status as one of the league’s top young quarterbacks.
His second season in 2025 produced a different outcome.
Daniels appeared in seven games and finished with 1,262 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and three interceptions while completing just over 60% of his attempts.
Injuries and an inconsistent supporting cast played a role in those numbers, highlighting an area Washington clearly needed to address this offseason: receiver depth.
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Adding Brown and Jefferson may not dominate national headlines, but the moves carry real significance for the Commanders’ offense.
Together, the two receivers provide something Daniels didn’t consistently have last season: dependable depth in the passing game.
The additions also signal Washington’s broader approach to the offseason.
Rather than focusing solely on long-term roster construction, the Commanders appear intent on maximizing Daniels’ development in the short term by surrounding him with more reliable pass-catching options.
And with free agency still unfolding, the Commanders may not be finished adding offensive talent.
The team has already taken several steps to strengthen the supporting cast around Daniels, including signing running back Rachaad White earlier in the week.
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