Commanders safety Jeremy Reaves is just happy to be wanted
"It's nice to just be wanted."#Commanders special teams ace Jeremy Reaves earned himself a contract extension today. His one-year extension now has him staying in Washington through 2026.
Beyond well-deserved. pic.twitter.com/qBQBopkRcr — Natalie Spala (@_nataliespala) June 11, 2025
It's been a long journey for Washington Commanders safety Jeremy Reaves at just 28 years old. A former undrafted free agent, Reaves first signed with Washington's practice squad in 2018 and has been with the franchise ever since.
Of course, there were plenty of twists, turns, bumps, and bruises along the way. Reaves has been cut, re-signed to the practice squad, bounced back and forth between the practice squad to the 53-man roster, but everything changed in 2022.
For the first time in his career, Reaves made the initial 53-man roster. There would be no more sending him back down to the practice squad. Reaves thrived on special teams, earning first-team All-Pro honors and a trip to the Pro Bowl. He was also a reliable backup safety when his number was called, too.
Last season, Reaves was set to become an unrestricted free agent. The timing wasn't great, as Washington fired the previous coaching staff and front office. Yet, as the Commanders allowed several free agents to leave, they signed Reaves to a two-year deal. It didn't take long for Reaves to become a favorite of Dan Quinn and Adam Peters.
On Wednesday, ahead of Day 2 of minicamp, Reaves signed a one-year extension with Washington. He is now signed through the 2026 season.
Reaves, of course, offered a humble response.
"When I first got here, everything that I went through, all the tough days I went through, I got a chance to talk to AP and DQ before practice and just tell them, 'it's nice just to be wanted,' and feel like what I do matters," Reaves told reporters after Wednesday's practice. "I'm filled with gratitude. I was just talking to some young guys and telling them, if you take anything from me, just understand that the turtle does win the race."
Reaves made it clear that there is plenty of work to do. There is no resting on his laurels. He will be just as motivated in 2025 as he was in 2018 and 2022.
No one is more deserving of success than Reaves. To see him finally rewarded and respected makes everyone happy. He's earned it.
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