Sunday night felt like the night before Christmas around the NFL. The NFL’s legal negotiating period opens on Monday at Noon ET, and players can begin negotiating with other teams. While contract terms can be agreed upon, nothing can be signed until the new league year on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. ET.

The Washington Commanders, with many roster holes, will be aggressive about filling some of them. They may not spend the highest for players at their respective positions, but it is pretty much a consensus that they will be busy. ESPN NFL analyst Jeremy Fowler certainly sees the Commanders as being busy beginning Monday.

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Sunday, Fowler produced his final story before the contract negotiations begin, stating the Eagles are very much trying to re-sign edge Jaelan Phillips. The Commanders have been reported as targeting Phillips. Fowler also wrote that the Cowboys are targeting pass rushers that the Commanders have been said to have shown an interest in (Phillips, Odafe Oweh, and Boye Mafe).

Fowler expressed that wide receiver Alec Pierce is still a very much wanted man, with the Colts still negotiating to avoid free agency, while the Commanders, Raiders, and Titans are waiting to pounce on Pierce at Noon Monday. Romeo Doubs (Packers) is another receiver that the Commanders won’t easily sign, as there are multiple teams interested in Doubs.

Fowler didn’t reveal his source, of course, but declared the Commanders, Giants, and Titans will pursue Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker (Seahawks RB). Fowler also said not to rule out the Broncos or Chiefs signing either Walker or perhaps someone like Travis Etienne (Jaguars RB). Rico Dowdle (Panthers RB) is another Fowler stated has the Commanders’ interest.

How active will the Commanders be? Fowler declared, “The pulse inside the league is that this year could be Washington’s most active offseason of the Adam Peters era that began in 2024…while the Commanders might not spend big on every position, they will be a presence.”

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: A busy week ahead in free agency