Pro Football Rumors
Through much of the offseason, many have anticipated the Commanders acquiring Brandon Aiyuk. No trade is forthcoming in his case, though, and the much-maligned wideout appears to have strained his relationship with quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Aiyuk’s past with Daniels – his former Arizona State teammate – has driven his desire to join the Commanders. With it now increasingly appearing as though Washington is not interested in a deal in this situation, other options could be explored. Washington has the cap space to afford a veteran receiver, and one has been identified as a potential target.
SportsBoom’s Jason La Canfora writes numerous executives and agents around the NFL believe DeAndre Hopkins “would be thrilled” to play with Daniels and the Commanders in 2026. Hopkins is one of several notable wideouts still on the market ahead of training camp, and he will offer his next team with plenty of experience in a depth offensive role.
Following a one-year stint in Baltimore, Hopkins has adopted a patient approach to free agency. The 34-year-old will of course aim to join a contender on his next stop, although the nature of the receiver market over the coming weeks will be worth watching closely. As the likes of Stefon Diggs, Keenan Allen and Deebo Samuel find new homes, Hopkins will presumably narrow his list of potential landing spots.
Diggs has spoken about the possibility of playing for the Commanders, making Washington one of the logical landing spots for the Maryland native. As La Canfora notes, however, Hopkins brings with him fewer concerns from an off-field perspective than Diggs. That could play a factor as teams contemplate short-term offers in both cases. Hopkins’ market will be limited by his career-worst numbers from 2025 (22 catches, 320 yards, two touchdowns).
Still, the Commanders could stand to add a complementary wideout to pair with Terry McLaurin and third-round rookie Antonio Williams. Washington lined up a deal with free agent cornerback Rasul Douglas earlier today, but the team will still have plenty of cap space to afford a veteran receiver signing. It will be interesting to see if Hopkins emerges as a target for the Commanders this summer.
