The Washington Commanders are doing something at wide receiver they haven’t in some time — adding actual depth in the offseason.
The Commanders made a stealth pair of free-agent signings at wide receiver on Friday, bringing back Dyami Brown and signing Van Jefferson to 1-year contracts.
“Veteran WR Dyami Brown is going back to Washington on a 1-year deal worth up to $3 million, per source,” NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero wrote on his official X account on Friday. “The Commanders are also signing WR Van Jefferson, per source.
Brown played the 1st 4 seasons of his career with the Commanders and cashed in with the Jacksonville Jaguars on a 1-year, $10 million contract for 2025.
Jefferson won a Super Bowl with the Rams in 2021 and played in 2025 with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Dyami Brown Shocked Commanders in Leaving
Brown’s pro football career was on life support headed into 2024 and he walked away with what will likely be a career-defining payday with the Jags in 2025.
Brown entered the 2024 postseason with a projected market value of a 1-year, $1.9 million contract and delivered the run of a lifetime with 18 receptions for 229 yards and 1 touchdown in 3 playoff games.
According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, Brown’s deal could be worth up to $12 million, including incentives. It was a massive payday that saw the once-embattled wideout getting 5 times what he was projected to get in free agency.
“Dyami Brown is one of the best deep-threats out there and he showed up big time in the playoffs,” X user Nash Henry wrote on his official account. “He has a solid size/speed combo, elite body control, great ball skills, YAC ability and he’s aggressive at the catch point. Huge fan of this pickup.”
Brown was an unquestionable bust in his 1 season in Jacksonville. He suffered a significant shoulder injury early in the season and by the end of the season was facing a much different reality.
From Black & Teal: “The Jaguars announced their inactives for the Week 13 game against the Tennessee Titans, and one name stood out: Dyami Brown. By making him a healthy scratch, the Jaguars are making it clear that they have no use for him. Then again, the writing was on the wall when he only logged four snaps in the 27-24 overtime win over the Arizona Cardinals. With Brian Thomas Jr. joining Parker Washington, Jakobi Meyers, and Tim Patrick, Jacksonville no longer had use for Brown. And barring injuries at receiver, it’s hard to see him getting meaningful playing time the rest of the season.”
In his lone season in Jacksonville, Brown had 19 receptions for 209 yards and 1 touchdown in 11 games — almost $1 million for every game he played in.
Van Jefferson Longtime WR3 Option
Jefferson could serve to fill a role like Noah Brown did on the Commanders in 2024 — just without all the injuries, hopefully.
Jefferson has been a pretty reliable WR3 or WR2 option throughout his career and had his best season with the Rams in 2021 on the way to winning the Super Bowl with career highs of 50 receptions for 802 yards and 6 touchdowns.
In 2025 with the Titans, he had 29 receptions for 350 yards and 1 touchdown. In 6 NFL seasons, Jefferson has 166 receptions for 2,226 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Commanders Reload at WR With Pair of Free Agent Signing