Commanders wanted these 2 free agent WRs, but they both signed elsewhere

The Washington Commanders entered the offseason knowing they needed to upgrade the wide receiver position.

So far, though, it's been just small moves. They signed Dyami Brown. They signed Van Jefferson. They still don't have an obvious WR2 to pair with Terry McLaurin.

It turns out the Commanders were after the big names. They just didn't get them.

ESPN's John Keim reported Thursday that the Commanders were interested in both Alec Pierce and Romeo Doubs in free agency.

Pierce stayed with the Colts on a four-year, $116 million deal. Doubs left the Packers for the Patriots for four years and $70 million.

"According to sources with knowledge of the team's thinking, Washington would have pursued Indianapolis wideout Alec Pierce had he not opted to stay with Indianapolis before the legal negotiating period began," Keim writes. "One source with knowledge of the situation said Pierce 'absolutely' would have signed with the Commanders if free. They pursued Romeo Doubs but lost out to New England."

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These misses have also sparked discussion of Brandon Aiyuk coming from the San Francisco 49ers to the Commanders, although nothing is set in stone on that yet.

For now, the Commanders just have to face the reality that they missed on a few of their big targets.

Other free agent WRs still available include the departed Deebo Samuel, along with Stefon Diggs and Jauan Jennings. It seems like if Washington had wanted one of those guys, they would've signed them by now.

So for now, the Commanders are in a waiting pattern. Maybe it's for Aiyuk, maybe not. But they had a chance at a major upgrade with Pierce or Doubs, and it didn't happen.

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