The Washington Commanders wasted no time in their roster revamp, as they struck early on the second day of NFL free agency with the acquisition of defensive end Clelin Ferrell.
Per a source familiar with the deal, Ferrell and the team agreed on a one-year contract. The agreement is pending official confirmation, which is expected to come when the new league year kicks off on Wednesday.
Ferrell, who will turn 27 in May, showcased his talents last season by starting 17 games and recording 3 1/2 sacks for the San Francisco 49ers. A former fourth overall pick in the 2019 draft by the Raiders, Ferrell boasts an impressive professional career, having appeared in 75 games for both Oakland/Las Vegas and San Francisco.
In addition to Ferrell, the Commanders have also secured agreements with other key players, including defensive lineman Dorance Armstrong, running back Austin Ekeler, tight end Zach Ertz, center Tyler Biadasz, guard Nick Allegretti, linebacker Frankie Luvu, and kicker Brandon McManus. These signings mark the beginning of new general manager Adam Peters’ efforts to restructure the team.
Ferrell and Armstrong are expected to bolster the team’s edge rushing capabilities, compensating for the losses incurred from trading Chase Young and Montez Sweat before last October’s deadline. Meanwhile, Biadasz and Allegretti are poised to contribute to the Commanders’ offensive line rebuild under the guidance of new head coach Dan Quinn and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.
Despite these signings, Washington still has significant work ahead, particularly in addressing the need for a new left tackle and securing a franchise quarterback. With the second pick in the draft, the team has options to explore in both the draft and free agency as they aim to solidify the quarterback position, arguably the most crucial in football.
