The Washington Commanders have reached a critical juncture in their rebuild.

With Jayden Daniels still on his rookie contract, now is the time to maximize spending power and build a contender. The team has plenty of cap space, key positions to fill, and a legitimate Super Bowl window opening.

Daniels proved in his debut season that he can compete with the NFL’s elite, but he could use more weapons.

One intriguing possibility? Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, who has been linked to Washington as a potential target. (Tampa Bay’s Chris Godwin is another.)

At the same time, the Commanders don’t plan to tear down a roster that just reached the NFC Championship Game.

Retaining key free agents while adding reinforcements will require a careful balance between continuity and aggression.

One of the biggest questions this offseason is whether veteran tight end Zach Ertz will remain in Washington.

While Ertz has publicly expressed a desire to stay under Kliff Kingsbury’s system, he could also be tempted by a team with championship aspirations – like the Kansas City Chiefs.

Arrowhead Addict recently named Ertz as a possible replacement for Travis Kelce, should the Chiefs need one.

“While Ertz has stated publicly that he would like to stay under Kliff Kingsbury’s watch in Washington for the rest of his career, the Chiefs might be able to turn his head away if they can tempt him with the promise of competing for championships alongside Mahomes. This year proved Ertz can still get it done as a safety valve over the middle,” Mike Luciano wrote.

Ertz was exactly that for Daniels in 2024, catching 66 passes for 654 yards and seven touchdowns.

While not elite production, it was certainly reliable.

However, his five drops on 91 targets suggest he may not be indispensable – especially with Ben Sinnott, an athletic and versatile second-year player, waiting in the wings.

Even if Ertz leaves, it’s unlikely Washington will go into next season without a veteran presence at tight end.

The front office could explore more affordable free-agent options, such as Tyler Conklin or Mike Gesicki, both of whom could provide Daniels with another reliable target without breaking the bank.

For the Chiefs, they may soon have to start planning for life-after-Kelce if he decides to retire. (Perhaps they should even if he doesn’t.)

In addition to Ertz, Arrowhead Addict also named Michigan star tight end Colston Loveland as a possible replacement.

While Penn State stud Tyler Warren will most likely be long gone, there’s a decent chance that Loveland will be there for Kansas City at the end of the first round.

What are your thoughts on the Kelce situation? … Despite only being a year younger (34), do you think Ertz would be an ideal replacement for Kelce should he decide to retire???