This is the time of year when we get to play pretend GM and try to figure out the moves our favorite teams will make during the offseason. The NFL combine is around the corner, followed by the start of the league year on March 11. The start of the league year also marks the beginning of free agency, with the legal tampering period starting two days prior.
The first few days of free agency are always a flurry of action as teams try to nail down the top-ranked players at the positions they need, and Sports Illustrated has a bold prediction for the Washington Commanders this offseason.
The Commanders will sign Mike Evans in free agency.
Despite interest from the Bills, Washington can commit more with breathing room under the salary cap. The push to get Jayden Daniels to a Super Bowl before his rookie contract tolls is real, and Evans is one of the most quarterback-friendly receivers in the NFL.
In his 12 years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Evans has only missed having a 1,000-yard season one time. In 2025, Evans suffered multiple injuries and appeared in just eight games, ending his streak of consecutive seasons with 1,000 receiving yards.
Bringing in Evans would certainly give the Commanders the additional weapon they need to give Terry McLaurin some breathing room. The problem is that he is nearing the end of his career, and his longevity is in question after suffering a hamstring injury, a concussion, and a broken collarbone in 2025. Still, having him line up opposite McLaurin is a salivating prospect and would certainly boost the Commanders' offense.
It's certainly a bold prediction and goes against GM Adam Peters' strategy to get "younger and faster" this offseason.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Bold prediction brings Mike Evans to DC