The Washington Commanders are signing guard Trai Turner, a source confirmed — a move that gives the team another potential starter along the offensive line. The deal is reportedly a one-year contract worth $3 million.
Turner, 28, started all 17 games last year for the Pittsburgh Steelers. But, like all of Washington’s outside free agent signings so far this offseason, Turner has ties to coach Ron Rivera as the 28-year-old played six seasons in Carolina. From 2015 to 2019, Turner made five consecutive Pro Bowls and was regarded as one of the best guards in the NFL.
Turner is an option to start in place of All-Pro Brandon Scherff, who departed the Commanders in free agency to sign with the Jacksonville Jaguars. To win the job, Turner will have to beat out veterans Wes Schweitzer and Saahdiq Charles.
The signing comes days after Washington made eight picks in the NFL draft. The team didn’t address the interior of the line until the seventh round when it drafted Tulsa’s Chris Paul.
So far this offseason, Washington has signed three unrestricted free agents that have come from other teams. All of them — Turner, defensive end Efe Obada and guard Andrew Norwell — previously played for Rivera in Carolina. Norwell is expected to compete for the starting spot at left guard.
ESPN first reported the news.
Washington’s offensive line was one of the best units in the league last season, with ESPN ranking it the sixth-best group upfront. But the line has undergone changes this spring as the team has lost two starters. In addition to watching Scherff leave, the Commanders released left guard Ereck Flowers after the two sides couldn’t agree to pay cut. The team has since signed Norwell and Turner to replace them.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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