With NFL free agency coming up, it’s time to look back at some of the top Washington Commanders free agent signings since the year 2000. Of course, there have been many that didn’t work under former disgraced owner Dan Snyder (Re: Albert Haynesworth). However, there have been some bright spots. A good number of them came last offseason which led to Washington having its best season in 33 years. Without further ado, here are the top 5 Commanders free agent signings of the last 25 years.
The Top 5 Washington Commanders Free Agents since 2000
London Fletcher
In March 2007, Fletcher signed a five-year, $25 million contract with Washington. The veteran linebacker had previous tenures with the St. Louis Rams and Buffalo Bills. Fletcher played for Washington from 2007-2013, where he proved he was still a high-caliber linebacker. Among his many accolades, the former Super Bowl champion was named to four consecutive Pro Bowls from 2009-2012 and won the Bart Starr Award in 2012. He was also named Washington’s 2011 Defensive Player of the Year, after leading the entire league in tackles with 166 that season. After he retired, Fletcher was inducted into the Washington Commanders Ring of Fame, and named one of the 90 Greatest Commanders.
DeAngelo Hall
Hall signed a one-year contract with Washington in November 2008, and then a six-year deal with the franchise the following February. The former cornerback ended up spending 9.5 seasons with his hometown team. After making two Pro Bowls with the Falcons, Hall was named to his third Pro Bowl in 2010. That season, Washington faced the Chicago Bears in a Week 7 contest where Hall had the best performance of his career. He tied an NFL record by recording four interceptions in a game against Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, all in the second half.
Shawn Springs
After spending seven seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, Springs signed with Washington in 2004. In his first season with the team, the former defensive back led Washington with five interceptions and six sacks. He was the first cornerback to lead his team in sacks and interceptions in NFL history. In 2005, Springs played much of the year with a leg injury and recorded one interception and 50 tackles. In 2007, Springs recorded 62 tackles and four interceptions to lead Washington to the playoffs.
Pierre Garcon
In March 2012, Garcon signed a five-year $42.5 million, $20.5 million guaranteed contract with Washington. The wide receiver previously spent four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. Garcon spent his first season in D.C. catching passes from rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III. The wideout gave Griffin his first touchdown pass in the opening week contest against the New Orleans Saints. In 2013, Garcon led the entire NFL in receptions with 113 and broke Washington’s single-season catches record, passing Art Monk. He also finished with a new career high of 1,346 receiving yards.
Bobby Wagner
The 34-year-old Wagner came down to D.C. after spending an illustrious tenure with the Seahawks. The Commanders inked the veteran linebacker to a one-year, $8.5 million contract. In 2024, Wagner proved to be an important piece in the Commanders’ best season since 1991. He recorded at least 100 tackles in a season for the 13th consecutive year. The veteran finished the season with a team-leading 132 tackles, two sacks, four pass breakups, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries. These impressive stats earned him second-team All-Pro honors and his 10th Pro Bowl appearance.
Main Photo: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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