Dan Quinn and Adam Peters, the new coach and general manager of the Washington Commanders, have some big decisions to make, as next year’s roster is almost certain to look very differently. Which players will stay, and which are on the chopping block?
Offensive line: Arguably the worst signing of the past cycle was bringing in former Kansas City right tackle Andrew Wylie, who struggled all season in Washington. Wylie’s contract basically ensures he will remain in Washington for another season, and perhaps a new scheme can bring the best out of him.
Staying is no certainty for left tackle Charles Leno Jr., whose contract allows the team to move on. One potential issue — left tackles don’t grow on trees, and unless the Commanders take one in the first round after trading down, any rookie they bring in would likely need a year to mature. That points to Leno and Wylie both staying, even if they’re not the long-term answers.
Sam Cosmi arguably has the most job security, with a strong 2023 season and another year left on his rookie contract. The rest of the line has no such security, and a big turnover seems like a given here.
Running back: Brian Robinson and Chris Rodriguez are both near-locks to stay as productive players on rookie contracts. Antonio Gibson is a free agent and can sign anywhere. He’s likely to end up on an NFL team, though not necessarily this one.
Tight end: Logan Thomas carries $5.3 million in salary that can be cut with no risk. However, he’s a strong veteran presence and values living in the area, so it’s possible his deal could be renegotiated or that he could be kept on the roster outright. The new staff will have to decide if they want to continue to work with young options John Bates and Cole Turner. An increased emphasis on analytics probably means a sharper focus on the position, which increasingly is seen around the league as a key.
Wide receivers: Terry McLaurin’s contract likely keeps him here, and Jahan Dotson isn’t going anywhere either. That’s where the certainty ends, though. It’s possible McLaurin and Dotson are the only returnees when next year’s camp opens.
Quarterback: It makes sense to keep Sam Howell as the backup, or even the starter while the No. 2 pick learns the ropes. But if the new staff has a veteran in mind for that role, Howell may get demoted to No. 3, which means he’d be fair game for other teams to pick up if Washington leaves him exposed on its practice squad.
Defensive line: There are major questions across the board here. At end, there aren’t any starter-caliber players under contract, though KJ Henry showed promise at the end of the 2023 season. Given that it’s one of the most important positions in football, expect the new regime to address this weakness quickly.
On the interior, Daron Payne and Phidarian Mathis are safe, but Jonathan’s Allen contract is extremely team-friendly, meaning he could bring in a strong haul as part of a trade. Allen is respected by coaches and peers, but at 29, it’s also possible his best seasons will be in the rear-view mirror by the time Washington is a contender.
Linebacker: Whiffing at this position is one of the biggest surprises of the Ron Rivera era, given his previous skill at identifying linebacking talent. Jamin Davis has one more year left on his rookie deal, but isn’t essential by any stretch. Three new starters next year is a distinct possibility.
Defensive back: The new staff has some tough choices to make, and fast. Kam Curl has demonstrated talent — was his regression last year the result of bad coaching or a sign of decline in his play?
With a long-term contract of $15 million a year expected for Curl, the decision will be an important one.
Likewise, cornerback Kendall Fuller is an important veteran, but he’ll need a new deal as well, and the new group may not want to spend that much at one position with needs elsewhere.
The good news for Washington is that Benjamin St.-Juste and Emmanuel Forbes Jr. probably aren’t as bad as they looked last year. With new coaching, they might find new life with the Commanders.
Special teams: If Peters knows what’s good for him, he’ll stay away from cutting fan-favorite punter Tress Way, who didn’t have his best season in 2023, but also didn’t have the benefit of good snapping, either.
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