The Washington Commanders were one win away from reaching the Super Bowl last season.

Allowing 55 points in the biggest game of their season showed that the Commanders need to make changes on defense. 

According to PFF, the Commanders have the second-worst defensive line heading into the 2025 season, but things can turn around with one blockbuster trade.

In a recent article by Cory Woodroof of For The Win, he proposed the Commanders trade their 2026 first-round draft pick to acquire T.J. Watt from the Pittsburgh Steelers, who could be traded due to a contract dispute. 

“The Commanders desperately need a player of Watt’s caliber to bolster its defense for the long haul,” Woodroof said. “While Washington hasn’t snagged a major pass-rusher in the offseason, it could swing a trade similar to Detroit’s and throw caution to the wind in pursuit of maximizing quarterback Jayden Daniels’ rookie window.”

Watt has been an extremely productive player over the course of his career. During his time in the league, he has recorded 108 sacks and has been a Defensive Player of the Year finalist five times, winning the award in 2021.

The addition of Watt would instantly improve the Commanders’ defense as a whole.

Watt would give Washington a clear No. 1 edge rusher who can force double teams, which would allow other defensive linemen to have more one-on-one opportunities to get in the backfield quicker. 

The downside of trading for the superstar is that he’ll be 31 in October and he wants a contract that would make him the highest paid non-quarterback in the NFL.

Watt would cost the Commanders a pretty penny, both in draft capital to acquire him and in the expensive contract they’d need to offer, but his production proves he’s well worth the risk.