The Washington Commanders will keep a close eye on developments around the league over the next two weeks. And even before the trade deadline, the dominoes begin to fall.

General manager Adam Peters is reportedly eager to improve the roster, but he won’t be making moves just because of that as part of his long-term promotion plans. He has a strategy and won’t deviate from it much. However, the commanders’ excellent start to the campaign justifies a slight turnaround when the right opportunities arise.

An interesting suggestion from a respected beat writer should not go unnoticed by Peters. When considering what the Carolina Panthers should do before the trade deadline, The Athletic’s Joe Person believes they should consider the possibility of trading Jaycee Horn as general manager Dan Morgan faces a crucial offseason in 2025 wants to accumulate draft picks.

“First-year GM Dan Morgan should be in major recovery mode. Teams have been calling about Bryce Young, but Morgan won’t just give away the 2023 No. 1 pick. With rookie RB Jonathon Brooks soon ready to make his debut, Miles Sanders should be in place for veteran receivers Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen, edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney and defensive backs Jaycee Horn and Xavier Woods.

– Joe Person, The Athletic

It’s impossible to say with certainty whether the Panthers would be willing to part with one of their best defensive players. Horn plays like an elite shutdown cornerback. He also shows his ability to stay healthy after playing in just 22 games in three seasons prior to 2024.

This largely depends on whether Morgan wants to tear everything down or consolidate. The Panthers need to bolster the strength of the team at 1-6 with no real hope this season. Horn could also hope for a lucrative contract extension next spring if he continues his winning streak on the injury front.

It wouldn’t hurt the commanders to call about this possibility. Their secondary attack is vulnerable to the better passing attacks. Having someone like Horn capable of shutting down one side of the field would give their playoff ambitions a huge boost in 2023. They also have the financial resources to give the former first-round pick from South Carolina everything he’s looking for in his next deal.

This is about risk versus reward. At 24, Horn is young enough to be considered a long-term investment. Considering what the Commanders will potentially select in the 2025 draft, it’s certain they won’t get a better player in either the first or second round.

It would be a bombshell of epic proportions if the Panthers traded Horn. He is one of their few standout players and a cornerstone of the franchise to build on. It’s almost certain to have some on the player side, but cornerback shouldn’t be one of them.

Still, it might be worth it for Peters to test her resolve with an offer. Whether that is enough to tip the balance is another question.

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