The Washington Commanders have over 30 free agents in 2026. A good majority of those free agents will not return, as general manager Adam Peters acknowledged the need to get "younger and faster" this offseason. Players like Bobby Wagner and Von Miller are first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famers, but do not fit the direction the Commanders are heading in 2026. The same goes for Zach Ertz, too.
The types of players Washington must focus on retaining are younger, ascending players. The problem is that most of the Commanders' free agents don't fall under this category. One does, though: wide receiver Treylon Burks.
Burks is only 25. A former first-round pick, the Tennessee Titans waived him last October after his first three NFL seasons were ruined by injuries. Washington took a chance on the 6-foot-2, 225-pound Burks, and he took advantage of the limited opportunities he did receive. In eight games for Washington, Burks caught 10 passes for 130 yards and a touchdown on 22 targets. No one will ever forget his one-handed touchdown catch against the Broncos on Sunday Night Football that was arguably the NFL's catch of the year in 2025.
Treylon Burks snagging a catch of the year candidate😮💨@visapic.twitter.com/Kk2N0wtreO
— NFL (@NFL) December 2, 2025
CBS Sports recently named one free agent every team should keep, and Burks was the pick for Washington.
One year after their breakthrough NFC Championship appearance, the Commanders backtracked to 5-12 due to underperformance and major injury issues. By the end of the season, it was a skeleton crew. But Treylon Burks, a 2022 first-round pick, made the most of his opportunities with 10 catches for 130 yards and a touchdown. Washington badly needs some youth and athleticism across the roster. Burks, 25, fits both.
We agree. Burks seemed to find a home in Washington. He won over teammates and coaches with his work ethic. It also helps that the new offensive coordinator, David Blough, was on the coaching staff last season. Blough seen first hand what a healthy Burks could provide. Something else in Burks' favor is that he's a willing and capable blocker.
Burks shouldn't be considered Washington's 1b to Terry McLaurin's 1a this offseason. GM Adam Peters needs to land a stud receiver opposite McLaurin, but there's no reason why Burks can't be the Commanders' WR3 in 2025. At the very least, he's proven he can be a solid depth piece with a high upside.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: One free agent who should be re-signed