The Washington Commanders raised some eyebrows when they let safety Jeremy Chinn leave for a relatively modest 2-year, $16.25 million free-agent contract with the Las Vegas Raiders in March 2025.
After just 1 season in Las Vegas, Chinn, one of the NFL’s most underrated safeties, might be on the move again.
Pro Football Focus NFL reporter Bradley Locker put Chinn on his list of the NFL’s top trade candidates just 2 months out from training camp.
“Chinn enjoyed a resurgent season with the Raiders, but his future with the team might be in doubt,” Locker wrote. “The former second-round pick played to a 67.7 overall PFF grade in his first campaign in Las Vegas, his best since 2021. Chinn’s 69.5 PFF run-defense grade placed in the 67th percentile at the position, and he missed a modest 9.9% of his tackle attempts. The Raiders made a splash when they selected versatile Arizona defensive back Treydan Stukes with the 38th overall pick. While Stukes may play all over the secondary, he figures to be more of a traditional safety considering the team also acquired slot corner Taron Johnson. As a result, organizations could call about Chinn with just one year left on his contract.”
Raiders Praised for Signing Chinn
It was a surprise that the Commanders let such a promising player like Chinn go in free agency — especially since he was such an important part of the defense that went 12-5 and made it to the NFC Championship Game in 2024.
The Commanders thought they knew better and ended up with a 5-12 record to show for it.
The Raiders didn’t fare much better — they wound up with the No. 1 overall pick — but they did receive praise for signing Chinn.
“I liked the Raiders’ defensive moves in free agency, bringing in safety Jeremy Chinn and retaining (Adam) Butler and edge rusher Malcolm Koonce,” ESPN’s Seth Walder wrote on July 10.
Commanders Came One Win From Super Bowl
Chinn was a valuable addition to the Commanders in his 1 season with the franchise after signing a 1-year, $4.1 million contract in March 2024.
Chinn started every game for the Commanders in 2024 and finished the regular season with 117 tackles, 1 interception, and 2 fumble recoveries. He also received an overall 69.0 grade from PFF — putting him 50th out of 170 eligible NFL safeties.
He also had 29 tackles and 1 interception in 3 playoff games as the Commanders advanced to the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 1991.
“BREAKING: Free agent safety Jeremy Chinn is signing with the #Raiders on a 2-year deal worth over $16M, including over 75% fully guaranteed at signing,” FOX Sports NFL Insider Jordan Schultz wrote on his official X account on March 10, 2025. “A major addition to the Vegas secondary.”
One reason the Commanders may have been so set on letting Chinn go is that they believe they have a star in safety Quan Martin, who had 95 tackles and 3 pass deflections in 2025. He’ll be in the final season of his 4-year, $7.63 million contract in 2026.
“Quan Martin deserves recognition as the unheralded building block on the Washington Commanders roster,” Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton wrote in July 2025. ” … while it’s too early for Martin to sign an extension, he may be in line for a new deal next offseason … Typically, teams are willing to pay big bucks to ball-hawking safeties. In 2026, Martin could earn a massive pay raise.”
Former Commanders Star Called NFL’s ‘Top Trade Candidate’