The Washington Commanders have among the most salary cap space this offseason, and NFL experts expect the franchise to spend aggressively in an attempt to return to prominence after a 5-12 campaign in 2025.
Among the moves Dan Graziano of ESPN predicted the Commanders will make once free agency begins next week is the signing of Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III to a $44 million contract over three years with $22 million guaranteed.
“The Super Bowl MVP hits free agency with the benefit of a market full of teams looking for explosive running backs,” Graziano wrote. “With Breece Hall having set the market with a $14.3 million franchise tag from the Jets, Walker can play multiple teams off each other and land at just above that number with the first year (and a chunk of the second year) fully guaranteed.”
Walker finished the 2025 campaign with 1,027 rushing yards and five TDs as well as 31 receptions for 282 receiving yards.
Commanders Also Predicted to Sign Seahawks Wide Receiver Rashid Shaheed in Free Agency
GettySeattle Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed.
Walker was also key to the Seahawks’ playoff success, producing 313 rushing yards and four TDs accompanied by nine receptions for 104 receiving yards.
Offensively, Seattle’s most significant mid-season move came via a trade for wide receiver Rashid Shaheed. Graziano also wrote on Friday that he expects the Commanders to rip a second page out of the Seahawks’ Super Bowl book by signing Shaheed to a three-year deal worth $40 million that includes $20 million in guaranteed money.
“It sounds like Shaheed will have a market outside of Seattle, where he was a vital part of the Seahawks’ Super Bowl run as a receiver and a return man,” Graziano continued. “His speed is enticing to a lot of teams, and those that swing and miss on [Alec] Pierce could be very happy signing Shaheed at a lower cost. He had 687 receiving yards between the Seahawks and [New Orleans] Saints, and including the playoffs, he scored three return TDs (two kickoffs, one punt).”
Washington has upwards of $87 million in salary cap space to spend in 2026 as of Friday, so rounding out the skill positions with Walker and Shaheed is more than feasible for the Commanders.
Commanders Want to Pair QB Jayden Daniels With True No. 1 RB
GettyWashington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt led the team with 805 rushing yards on 175 carries (4.6 yards per attempt) and eight rushing touchdowns. Chris Rodriguez Jr. was second with 500 yards on the ground and six scores.
Walker, who has two 1,000-yard seasons in his first four NFL campaigns, is a clear upgrade over both and is likely to draw interest from several other teams, including potentially the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos.
Adding a true No. 1 RB alongside quarterback Jayden Daniels, who is also a threat on the ground, heading into his third year is an ideal outcome for the Washington offense. Daniels missed 10 games last season due to injuries after leading the Commanders to a 12-5 record and an NFC Championship Game appearance in 2024 during his rookie campaign.
Commanders Expected to Sign Super Bowl MVP for $44 Million