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Washington Commanders CB Mike Sainristil Linked to Trade Rumors
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- Washington Commanders CB Mike Sainristil Linked to Trade Rumors
(Geoff Burke-Imagn Images)
Whether the Washington Commanders prove to be a buyer or seller at the trade deadline is its own question mark, yet many have pointed to the record as reason for pause in general manager Adam Peters going all-in on 2026 despite a weak NFC East. Still, the noise around whether the Commanders part with one of its draft picks under the current front office has been hard to ignore.
Cornerback Mike Sainristil has found himself on the outside looking in of the cornerback rotation -- and quickly -- under new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones. Yet whether the Commanders pull the trigger on a trade is the question mark after being tabbed by multiple outlets as one who could find himself as a trade candidate ahead of the deadline.
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The Seattle Seahawks have been linked to trade rumors, though it was head coach Mike Macdonald who found success with Sainristil at Michigan in 2021, while it was noted that current Baltimore Ravens head coach Jesse Minter who decided to flip Sainristil from a wide receiver to defensive back in Ann Arbor.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have also been tied to a potential Sainristil pursuit given former Washington defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. is now part of Mike McCarthy's defensive staff, while the Chicago Bears have also been reportedly linked to the cornerback market.
Washington was also expected to entertain trade interest for defensive tackle Daron Payne before going down with what proved to be a season-ending foot injury during Friday walkthrough ahead of the week eight game against the Philadelphia Eagles. With Washington now losing the chance to acquire draft capital from a veteran in the midst of a contract year, whether the front office now looks to make up for it by cutting ties with a struggling defensive back may be worth asking.
A former second round pick in the 2024 Draft as part of Adam Peters' first class with the organization, Sainristil shined as a rookie before being named the starting nickel while playing outside. Yet year two was met with struggles despite leading the team with four interceptions in 14 starts and appearing in every game, leading him to answer questions in a pivotal year three. Yet that hasn't lived up to production with Sainristil starting in just two of his seven appearances while allowing a career-worst 71.4% completion percentage against him, also ranked 14th-worst among all NFL cornerbacks. Sainristil has also allowed six receiving touchdowns in 2026, matching his total from his entire rookie season.
The return of Trey Amos has alleviated Sainristil's disappointment in the secondary as Rasul Douglas and Amik Robertson have rounded out the rotation.
