Tag: Jahan Dotson traded

How does the Dotson trade impact the Commanders?

How does the Dotson trade impact the Commanders moving forward?

Moving forward, what effect might the Jahan Dotson trade have on the Washington Commanders?

Of course, we don’t “know” the certainty of the future. Yet, doesn’t it remain a strong probability that a message was indirectly sent to the team when your WR2, a first-round draft choice just three drafts ago, is traded?

Several players had previously spoken out that the change in approach by this new coaching staff was evident from their arrival. Players had expressed increased energy, intensity, enthusiasm, and competition.

Just one week ago, head coach Dan Quinn praised some of the wide receivers but not Dotson. Former Redskins running back/returner Brian Mitchell volunteered that body language spoke volumes about what players were buying in and which were not.

On Thursday, a message was sent. Dotson was traded. Most specifically, the wide receiver group is more aware now than ever of what is expected of them on a running play or on running a route through contact.

But not only the receivers; perhaps the remainder of the team now looks differently at the coaches, for they have learned that the coaches are not afraid to make deals to rid themselves of whomever they don’t feel is buying in.

Fans instantly thought of a trade for Brandon Aiyuk, Tee Higgins, or Armari Cooper. But no, Dan Quinn was clear. This was not about acquiring another receiver. To me, Quinn was saying he believes this trade was, in their view, an addition by subtraction.

Quinn and Peters need to be correct on this one. They know this, of course. With two years remaining on his contract, they could see Dotson four more regular season games. Yet, from their evaluation, might they not be overly concerned?

You know, perhaps like Andy Reid wasn’t overly concerned to have traded Donovan McNabb to Washington?

Why did the Commanders trade Jahan Dotson?

Dan Quinn talks why the Commanders traded Jahan Dotson.

When Commanders coach Dan Quinn opened the floor for questions on Friday, John Keim was first and simply asked, “Why the decision to trade Jahan (Dotson)?”

“I think at the end, we’re always going to make decisions that are just rock solid and best for the team. This was one of those examples where we had an opportunity to do that. So that’s why we did it.”

Wow, it was “rock-solid and best for the team” that Dotson be given his ticket headed for elsewhere. Just a moment later, Quinn echoed this, “but certainly at the end, like I said, just really a matter of here’s an opportunity to go help the team, and thought that was the best way to go about it.”

The first-year Commanders head coach did not mention any of the particulars that Logan Paulsen has provided over the last week. Quinn also did not speak of the nature of Jahan Dotson’s competing in team drills or the two preseason games played thus far.

If you are looking for a few reasons why the Commanders traded Jahan Dotson…

  1. Dotson was too easily moved off of the timing and spacing of his routes in practices and the two preseason games.
  2. Dotson did not display urgency on the practice field or buy-in to the new coaching staff’s culture.
  3. Dotson, last year in his second season had some issues with dropping balls that were easily catchable.
  4. Peters and Quinn are looking for more physical, active, blocking wide receivers.
  5. As a first-round selection in the 2022 draft, Dotson’s salaries would have escalated these next three seasons. He is guaranteed $1,573,032 for this season (3rd). It naturally escalates to $2,757,048 in his fourth NFL season. The Commanders would then have been determining whether they were going to offer Dotson another sizeable raise involving the fifth-year option.
  6. The Commanders gained a top-100 pick in next year’s draft, as the Eagles are sending a third-round selection. Wide receiver classes continue to grow, as the college game is producing more receivers who can play right away. The Eagles will also send two seventh-round selections, which will have lower salaries for four seasons if they make the team’s roster.