NFL agent questions one Commanders' free agent deal

Top pass rushers rarely hit free agency. So, for a team looking to fix its pass-rushing problem, your best bet is usually the NFL draft. However, this year presented a unique opportunity for needing that specific type of help. While there were no Myles Garretts available in free agency, there were several talented edge rushers available.

One of those was Odafe Oweh, and the Washington Commanders promptly agreed to a four-year, $100 million contract with the 27-year-old ascending pass rusher.

Oweh, a former first-round pick with amazing length and athleticism, has only had one year of 10 sacks or more. So, while it was a deal Washington had to make, it wasn't received well by everyone.

Ralph Vacchiano and Eric Williams of Fox Sports recently spoke with multiple NFL executives and agents and one didnt like what Washington paid Oweh.

On the other end of the spectrum, the agent pointed to former Los Angeles Chargers edge rusher Odafe Oweh signing a four-year, $100 million deal with the Washington Commanders that includes $68 million in guaranteed money.

Oweh, 27, finished with 7.5 sacks in 12 games with the Chargers are going without a sack in the first five games of the 2025 season with Baltimore, playing 513 snaps between stints with the Ravens and Chargers last season after a midseason trade to L.A. Washington appears to be betting on the potential of a breakout campaign for Oweh, but the agent I spoke with has reservations.

"There’s a reason Baltimore traded him to the Chargers last season," the agent told me. "Moreover, I’m not sure that his one year of production in Los Angeles [relative to his lack of production in Baltimore] equates to $25 million a year to me."

It's interesting that this observation came from an agent. Aren't they supposed to want players to earn as much as possible?

Look, every big deal comes with risk. Perfect players don't hit free agency. But when you see Oweh's size (6-foot-5, 265), with elite speed and length, along with some recent production, it's a chance you have to take. Sacks do not come cheap. The edge position is one of the NFL's premium positions. The rising salary cap also helps teams take these types of risks more effectively.

In 2024, Oweh had 10 sacks. After a slow start to last season, he finished with 7.5 sacks and had one of the highest pressure rates in the NFL in 2025. There's a lot to love about Oweh if you're the Commanders.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Executive criticizes Odafe Oweh free agent deal