The Washington Commanders are shaping up to be very busy over the next few weeks. Free agency opens in less than three weeks, but before that, Washington must determine how many of its 31 free agents, including 28 unrestricted free agents, it wants to retain.
Two of the Commanders’ top free agents are linebacker Bobby Wagner and tight end Zach Ertz. Both 34, Wagner and Ertz were outstanding on and off the field for Washington in 2024. Wagner continued to defy age, while Ertz proved he was still a very capable starting NFL tight end. The two veterans started all 17 regular-season games and each of the three playoff games.
Even better, they did it on the cheap. Wagner had a salary cap number of $6.5 million last season, while Ertz earned $3 million. Both veterans want to return to Washington in 2025.
The team would like to retain them, too, but at what cost? The Commanders are trying to take the next step and must be careful about paying for past production. Wagner and Ertz meant so much more to Washington than what they produced on the field.
Judging by their performances last season, Wagner and Ertz earned a raise, but again, that’s tricky.
What would a new contract for each player look like in 2025?
Former NFL agent Joel Corry appeared on the “BMitch & Finlay” show on 106.7 The Fan in Washington on Friday and discussed both players.
“Ertz was practically the lowest-paid starting tight end on a veteran contract at $3 million base last year, and if you look at him statistically, it compares to Pat Freiermuth, who signed for $12.1 million as an extension of his rookie deal, and Hunter Henry, who is at $9 million,” Corry said of Ertz, via Lou DiPietro of Audacy.
“So, where they are, I think maybe $7 or $8 million on a one-year deal for him,” he said.
Would the Commanders, who have around $80 million in salary cap room want to commit to that number for Ertz?
What about Wagner?
“Wagner, all the guy does is get accolades, and last year, Lavonte David signed a one-year deal for $8.5 million with up to $10 million in incentives, and Demario Davis signed for two years at an average of $8.625 million,” Corry said of the future Hall of Famer. “Bobby’s better than both of those guys always have been, and the cap has gone up at least 10 percent, so I think that $10 million could be his floor, because you have to throw age stuff out the window with him.”
So, if Corry is correct, Washington could be paying Wagner and Ertz a combined $18 million in 2025. The good news is they will likely only require one-year deals, but with so many holes, the Commanders would like to spend money across the roster to give Jayden Daniels more help.
It should be fascinating to see how general manager Adam Peters handles this over the next couple of weeks. The odds are Washington will find a way to get it done with both veterans.