Washington Commanders to sign former first-round DE Clelin Ferrell

The Washington Commanders will reportedly sign former Clemson Tigers first-rounder Clelin Ferrell for the 2024 season, according to NFL reporter Dianna Russini. Ferrell spent the 2023 season with the San Francisco 49ers but began his career with the Raiders. This season, he had 28 tackles with 3.5 sacks, which was the most sacks he’s had since his rookie season. He also had a forced fumble and five tackles for loss.

In four years with the Raiders, Ferrell totaled 105 tackles, 10 sacks, and two forced fumbles. He started all of the 26 games he played in over the first two years of his career, but was not a full-time starter in 2022. He played in 16 games, making four starts. The Raiders ended up moving on from the defensive end, leaving him open to signing with the 49ers on a one-year deal for 2023.

Ferrell will be going into his sixth season in the NFL in 2024. He’ll do so with his third NFL squad. He’s joining Dan Quinn’s first-year squad in D.C. with defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.

More on the 2024 NFL offseason, free agency

The NFL 2024 calendar year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 13. At that time, contracts running through 2023 officially run out, making those players free agents. Prior to the beginning of free agency, teams will have a chance to designate one franchise or transition tag player, starting on Feb. 20 at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 5. Beginning March 11 through March 13 teams can enter into a legal negotiation with players who will become unrestricted free agents.

In addition to NFL free agency, the new year also marks the beginning of all trades being made official by the league office. April 19 marks the deadline to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets. On April 24, the deadline for teams to match restricted free agent offers sheets hits. Following the restricted free agent deadline follows the 2024 NFL Draft, which runs from April 25-27.