When the Tennessee Titans decided to decline the fifth-year option on wide receiver Treylon Burks' rookie contract, he sensed his time in the Volunteer State would soon be up. The former Arkansas Razorback pick didn't think he'd be looking for a new team until he became a free agent in 2026.
Instead, Burks was waived by Tennessee on Oct. 7 after suffering a fractured collarbone while making a diving, one-handed catch at training camp in July.
The search for his next NFL team started sooner than he had thought, and Burks didn't know what to expect when he arrived at BigBear.ai Performance Center for a workout on Oct. 15. Although visiting with the Commanders wasn't his first workout, the free agent experience marked the first time Burks was trying out for an NFL team since he had participated in the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine as a draft prospect.
"It was definitely different, just never going through that type of process before, but I believed in my abilities and God, and it went well," Burks said.
Burks put his best foot forward in every workout he attended. He ultimately ended up with a couple offers from NFL teams, and in choosing his next team, Burks prioritized feeling appreciated by the organization. No matter where he went, Burks wanted a team to want him as much as he wanted them.
Burks felt valued by the Commanders during his visit and ultimately decided to sign with Washington's practice squad because he felt they had chosen him just as he had chosen them.
"I pride myself on who wants me and who shows interest in me, and obviously Washington showed the most interest and I just feel like they knew my situation and have given me an opportunity to be here and so I can do nothing but just go out and play my best," Burks said.
Check out the top shots of the Washington Commanders as they practice for their Week 9 game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Originally selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Titans with the No. 18 overall pick, Burks' production in Tennessee was limited due to a combination of injury and lack of opportunity.
Burks missed time his rookie season due to a turf toe injury that put him on Injured Reserve, although upon his return to the field, he was the Titans' leading receiver with seven receptions for 111 yards in the team's 27-17 win over the Green Bay Packers.
Playing behind veteran wideouts in DeAndre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd on the depth chart, Burks tallied two starts with four receptions for 34 yards in six games last season. His 2024 season came to a premature end after Burks was placed on Injured Reserve after tearing his ACL in a loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
Dealing with adversity throughout his career, Burks also resonated with the Commanders' culture. He appreciates the central idea of brotherhood that has been instilled by coaches and players alike.
"It's a brotherhood culture. Everybody is one," Burks said. "[Head coach] Dan [Quinn] takes really good care of you. The play style, the offense, obviously, I've known [offensive coordinator] Kliff [Kingsbury] for a while, and I kind of played in this type of offense in college, so I mean I just felt like this is where God was leading me to and I'm just grateful that I got the opportunity."
Burks' signing with the Commanders comes at a time the team is experiencing tumult at the wide receiver position. Veteran Noah Brown was placed on Injured Reserve with a groin injury on Oct. 15, while Terry McLaurin has missed four games with a quad injury and Deebo Samuel Sr. missed Week 6 with a heel injury.
Since arriving in Washington, Burks has been working hard to learn the Commanders' offensive system. His physicality and size make him a good fit for offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury's scheme. Burks finds the offense to be like the one he ran in college at Arkansas and is excited and grateful for the opportunity to work in a system that shows off his skillset.
"It's a tempo offense," Burks said. "Snap the ball and roll off. Don't give the defense time to get their calls in and get set up. I just think that here, they do a good job of getting you prepared and ready for gameday."
Burks has been working closely with Quinn and Kingsbury to develop an offensive plan, although he's not concerning himself with when that plan will turn from practice to in-game action.
"Honestly, I'm not the type of person to think that far," Burks said. "I just take it day by day and I'm actually just grateful to be on a team and on a team that wants me so whatever the plan is, that's the plan and I'll go out there and execute it once I get the opportunity."
Even if his opportunity doesn't come Sunday, there's no doubt Burks will be ready when his number is called. Whenever his time comes, he's ready to show his doubters why the Commanders chose him.
"I've been kind of just holding my emotions because I am anxious, and I just pray to God each and every day and let Him guide me through the process," Burks said.
