Washington Commanders are locking in 2025 around Terry McLaurin as a trade request is expected to be resolved via a compromise extension before Week 1, per Ben Solak’s visit. Washington’s aggressive 2025 roster moves—adding Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil—signal a mission to maximize a high-volume passing attack while stabilizing the line and playmaking core. McLaurin’s market value hovers around the high-20s to $30 million APY, but age and Washington’s long-term plan create a likely compromise near $28 million APY. The piece frames a settlement as plausible, with Washington hoping to keep its WR1 intact and build around him.

Fantasy dynamics shift with Samuel’s signing and Tunsil’s addition: expect McLaurin to remain a central target, but Samuel’s presence could diversify routes and spark a more prolific aerial attack. The extension would preserve McLaurin’s elite target share while allowing Washington to maximize both receivers’ yearly production. The narrative emphasizes that a Week 1 compromise could unlock a stable, potent offense and clarify McLaurin’s fantasy outlook for 2025, including how defenses might plan for a two-man WR threat with a protected quarterback behind a bolstered line.

Washington’s return to WR prominence stays a priority heading into 2026, even if Terry McLaurin signs a new deal. With McLaurin’s contract talks stalling, the front office is eyeing a high-upside rookie to pair with a developing Jayden Daniels-led attack and Deebo Samuel’s uncertain future beyond 2025. Field Yates’ ESPN mock adds Alabama’s Germie Bernard to the mix in Round 1, signaling Washington’s appetite for a long-term playmaker after Deebo Samuel’s potential free-agent exit next spring.

Bernard posted 50 catches for 794 yards as a Tide, flashing 20-yard-plus consistency across ten games and showcasing a 6-1 frame that should translate to NFL air yards. Though often overshadowed by Williams, Bernard’s profile fits a modern NFL offense that blends volume with big-play threat. If Washington can keep McLaurin in check financially, Bernard could become a bridge-to-crest target for a developing offense built around Daniels’ playmaking.

All signs point to a Commanders’ plan to keep layering youth at wide receiver, leveraging Bernard’s ceiling while weighing Deebo Samuel’s current value versus future cap implications. The 2026 draft landscape could yield a complementary duo that sustains Washington’s pass game for years, making this offseason a critical inflection point for the franchise’s attack.

Demarcus Robinson faces a three-game suspension to start the season for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy after pleading no contest to a misdemeanor DUI. SF opens with road tests at Seattle and New Orleans, then hosts Arizona, a schedule that tests a receiver group already thinned by Deebo Samuel’s offseason departure and Brandon Aiyuk’s knee injury that will sideline him for at least the first month. Robinson posted 31 catches, 505 yards and seven touchdowns last season, giving SF a veteran floor once eligible. In the meantime, the 49ers must lean on depth and adapt quickly as they navigate a demanding early slate.

Fantasy-minded readers should watch how SF distributes targets while Robinson is out. Expect more opportunities for Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk when available, with potential upticks for Jauan Jennings in the immediate weeks. Seattle’s opening test and New Orleans’ defensive schemes figure to shape early game plans, but Robinson’s return should shore up a pass game that needs reliable options to maximize ceiling as the season unfolds.

Overall, SF’s offense carries higher upside once Robinson returns, yet the start creates a temporary vacancy that could influence early-week decisions and waiver adds as managers plan around the suspension window.

Cincinnati opened preseason on a high note, riding Joe Burrow’s efficiency and a flourishing connection with Charlie Jones as Cincinnati rolled to a 31-17 win over Washington. Burrow steered three possessions, completing 9 of 14 passes for 62 yards, including a 4-yard TD to Jones on his final throw. Chase Brown capped a 58-yard opening march with a 1-yard TD on fourth-and-goal. The Bengals used starters more, scoring TDs on four of five Burrow-led drives across two exhibition games, signaling a sharp start to the regular season grind for fantasy rosters.

Washington’s lone Daniels appearance flashed athleticism without passing, as the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year scampered for a 14-yard TD late in the first half while the Commanders protected him behind a thinned OL and wet field. Jacory Croskey-Merritt stood out as a training-camp darling with a 27-yard TD run late in the second quarter, and Chris Rodriguez piled up 62 rushing yards to boost his rotation odds. Washington leaned on its run game and chipped-in field goals, underscoring backfield uncertainty and potential late-round upside for fantasy drafters.

Notes stacked on both sides: Cincinnati’s Myles Murphy remains sidelined, Trey Hendrickson sat out, and the depth chart keeps shifting behind Burrow’s likely Week 1 workload. Washington cut into its own plans, with McLaurin absent amid a contract dispute and young backs like Croskey-Merritt showing promise. Mitchell Tinsley snagged two late first-half TDs for Cincinnati off Jake Browning’s throws, a reminder of how the depth chart can surprise in fantasy leagues. Up next, Cincinnati welcomes Indianapolis, while Washington closes its preseason against Baltimore.