1 trade Commanders must make during 2026 NFL season bye week
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The Washington Commanders cannot afford to waste their Week 7 bye waiting for their offense to magically fix itself. Terry McLaurin’s season-ending knee injury has robbed Jayden Daniels of his most established perimeter weapon. At 1-4-1, Washington needs to find a way to keep its young quarterback developing while salvaging a season that is rapidly slipping away. As such, GM Adam Peters should explore a trade for Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. The deal would carry risks, but the Commanders need to think aggressively before the trade deadline passes.
Critical juncture
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Washington’s 2026 campaign has been defined by missed opportunities and mounting injuries. The Commanders opened with consecutive losses to Philadelphia and Dallas before edging Seattle. A 30-13 defeat to Indianapolis followed, then Washington settled for a 27-27 overtime tie against the New York Giants. Monday night’s 23-17 loss to San Francisco left the team at 1-4-1 entering its bye. Daniels threw for 300 yards and two touchdowns against the 49ers. He showed that the passing game can still produce. However, losing McLaurin leaves Washington without its leading veteran receiver for the remainder of the season.
Devastating void
McLaurin’s absence creates a serious problem for an offense that needs to maximize Daniels’ arm talent and mobility. Washington still has receiving options, including Stefon Diggs and tight end Chig Okonkwo. However, the team must redistribute targets while finding a dependable threat capable of stretching defenses vertically.
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Without a consistent outside weapon, opposing secondaries can crowd the intermediate passing lanes and challenge Washington’s receivers underneath. That puts more pressure on Daniels to extend plays and manufacture explosive gains.
Antonio Williams, Treylon Burks, and Dyami Brown could help absorb the workload. Still, Washington should not assume that internal adjustments alone will replace McLaurin’s impact. The Commanders need a receiver who can win outside, track deep passes, and force defensive coordinators to respect the entire field.
Reunion
Brian Thomas Jr. is an intriguing target because his skill set complements Daniels’ strengths. The two played together at LSU. Their connection helped produce some of the most explosive moments of the Tigers’ 2023 offense. Thomas finished that season with 68 catches for 1,177 yards and 17 touchdowns. He had the ability to turn downfield opportunities into game-changing plays.
His NFL production has been uneven recently. After recording 1,282 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024, Thomas managed 707 yards and two touchdowns in 2025. Through six games in 2026, he has just nine receptions for 105 yards and one touchdown.
Those numbers make him a potential buy-low candidate. Thomas still offers the long-striding acceleration, catch-point ability, and downfield tracking. Those could transform the Commanders’ passing attack.
Pairing him with Diggs would give Daniels a more balanced receiving group. Diggs could work the intermediate areas, while Thomas stretches coverage. That would create opportunities for Okonkwo underneath. Their complementary roles would give offensive coordinator David Blough greater flexibility with formations and route combinations.
Right trade offer
Washington should begin negotiations with a 2027 third-round pick and a conditional 2028 fifth-round selection. That package would give Jacksonville meaningful future draft capital without forcing the Commanders to surrender a first-round pick.
Thomas remains a young player with substantial upside. The Jaguars have little incentive to move him cheaply while pursuing their own goals. Washington would need to offer sufficient compensation and ensure that the financial implications fit its long-term plans.
The Commanders must also consider whether one receiver can meaningfully change this campaign’s trajectory. Thomas would not fix the offensive line or resolve every issue on defense. However, he could provide the offense with a reliable vertical threat for the rest of the season.
Act fast
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Washington’s bye week presents a valuable window to evaluate its needs and explore realistic upgrades. Standing pat would force the remaining receiving corps to take on expanded roles with little margin for error.
Thomas is not a guaranteed solution, of course. Also, Jacksonville may refuse to entertain offers. Still, the potential fit is compelling enough to justify a serious call. The Commanders need to protect Jayden Daniels’ development, restore balance to their passing game, and give their offense a chance to compete.
Peters should pursue Thomas at a sensible price. With this, Washington can take a meaningful step toward rebuilding its offensive identity. A reunion between Daniels and Thomas would offer a promising place to start.
Related: Commanders’ 7-round 2027 NFL Draft according to PFF mock draft simulator during bye week
Related: 7 teams that must sell at 2026 NFL trade deadline, and the players who should be on move
Source: sports.yahoo.com — article syndicated from the publisher’s feed; all rights remain with the original publisher.