Providing Jayden Daniels with additional talent at wide receiver is the most effective way for the Washington Commanders to unlock their rookie quarterback’s full potential, regardless of the expense. Acquiring Ja’Marr Chase, even at the cost of two first-round draft picks, would be a worthwhile move.
Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame envisions a trade scenario where the Commanders send their first-round picks in the 2025 and 2026 NFL drafts to the Cincinnati Bengals. Additionally, the Bengals would receive second- and fifth-round selections in 2025 and a third-round pick in 2026.
Though the proposed package is substantial, Chase justifies the price. The 24-year-old wide receiver boasts an impressive resume, including being named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, earning three Pro Bowl selections, and surpassing 1,000 receiving yards in each of his four seasons.
Trading a player of Chase’s caliber could subject the Bengals to harsh criticism, with fans potentially labeling the team as “cheap” or “directionless,” Verderame notes. However, he argues that if Cincinnati successfully utilizes the acquired draft picks, the decision to trade Chase could ultimately be validated.
For the Commanders, the deal would secure a premier playmaker to pair with Terry McLaurin, significantly enhancing Daniels’ rapid development as an NFL quarterback.
Ja’Marr Chase Would Transform Commanders WR Corps
Ja’Marr Chase would be a game-changing addition to a Commanders offense that currently lacks elite options beyond Terry McLaurin. While McLaurin, himself a four-time 1,000-yard receiver, is an exceptional talent, he doesn’t possess Chase’s rare combination of field-stretching speed and dynamic after-the-catch ability.
These attributes have propelled Chase to an impressive average of 14.5 yards per reception this season, with 6.8 yards after the catch per reception—the second-highest mark of his career, according to Pro Football Reference. His explosiveness was on full display in Week 10 against the Baltimore Ravens, when he turned a short pass from Joe Burrow into a 67-yard touchdown. As highlighted by Next Gen Stats, Chase gained 49 yards after the catch—35 more than expected—while reaching a top speed of 20.86 mph, his third-fastest of the season.
The argument for acquiring Chase is clear. As Matt Verderame points out, it’s challenging for any team to justify paying quarterback-level money for a wide receiver, and for the Bengals, it may be nearly impossible. Balancing Chase’s contract demands alongside those of Tee Higgins, who is approaching free agency, presents a daunting challenge for Cincinnati.
Meanwhile, the Commanders would welcome the “problem” of managing two top-tier receivers, as pairing Chase with McLaurin would instantly elevate their offense and provide rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels with the elite weapons necessary for accelerated development.
Cash-Rich Commanders Can Find Help for Terry McLaurin
The Commanders are well-positioned to absorb Ja’Marr Chase’s contract without significant financial strain. Spotrac.com projects the team to have $103,680,026 in cap space, providing ample room to add Chase and still address other needs.
Bringing in Chase would give Terry McLaurin the help he desperately needs. As the focal point of the Commanders’ passing attack, McLaurin frequently draws double coverage, making it harder for him to consistently impact games. Quarterback Jayden Daniels is acutely aware of the risks of relying too heavily on McLaurin, and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury has already begun adjusting his play designs to free up the star receiver.
Those adjustments paid off in the Commanders’ Week 13 victory over the Tennessee Titans, but schematic tweaks alone won’t keep defenses honest. To truly shift coverage away from McLaurin, opposing teams must have reason to fear another wideout on the roster.
Currently, there’s little respect for the likes of Noah Brown, Olamide Zaccheaus, Dyami Brown, or fellow rookie Luke McCaffrey. Adding Chase to the mix would change that dynamic entirely. His presence would force defenses to divide their attention, creating more opportunities for McLaurin and the offense as a whole. Even with Chase onboard, the Commanders would still have enough cap space to target upgrades for their offensive line in free agency, making the acquisition a win-win scenario.
