With the August 27 deadline for final roster cuts rapidly approaching, the Washington Commanders are making key moves to reduce their roster to 53 players, joining the rest of the NFL in finalizing their teams for the 2024 season. Alongside these cuts, the Commanders may explore potential trades, and one deal in particular has caught the attention of insiders.
Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay proposed a trade involving second-string safety Darrick Forrest, sending him to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for a 2025 seventh-round draft pick. This potential move would address concerns in the Packers’ secondary while giving the Commanders something in return for a player who might otherwise be cut.
Kay described Green Bay’s defensive backfield as “suspect” after preseason games, highlighting their lack of veteran depth at the safety position. While rookies Javon Bullard and Evan Williams show potential, and 2022 seventh-round pick Anthony Johnson Jr. seems poised to make the roster, the Packers could benefit from the presence of a more experienced player. That’s where Forrest could come in.
Forrest, a starter for Washington during the 2022 season, emerged as a strong defensive contributor, recording 88 tackles, four interceptions, and nine pass breakups. However, his 2023 season was cut short by injury after just five games. With the Commanders’ secondary already stacked and Forrest’s injury status uncertain, the franchise may opt to trade him rather than let him go for nothing during the cuts.
According to Kay, Forrest could provide Green Bay with “insurance” as a versatile safety who has proven himself capable when healthy. The Packers, who are aiming for a Super Bowl run after the emergence of quarterback Jordan Love last season, could use Forrest to bolster their secondary and contribute on special teams. Pro Football Focus (PFF) awarded him an overall grade of 67.0 and a coverage grade of 69.0 in 2022, both above average for his position.
Meanwhile, Washington faces tough decisions in the secondary. The Washington Post’s Nicki Jhabvala predicted Forrest might be one of three safeties on the chopping block, given the strong performance of Percy Butler and others during camp. Butler’s versatility and usage in various defensive packages make him a more valuable asset in the Commanders’ new-look defense.
With Forrest likely on the outs, the Commanders could use this trade as a way to gain value while continuing to refine their defensive strategy under the new regime. After inheriting a roster with numerous challenges, the team is in a rebuilding phase, and parting ways with Forrest may simply be another step in that process.
As the deadline looms, all eyes are on the Commanders to see if Forrest will be traded or cut, with Green Bay potentially offering a fresh start for the talented safety.
