A draft bust, veterans and a future Hall of Famer — the Washington Commanders’ free-agent acquisitions say they hope to bring leadership and grit to a rebuilding roster.
New additions, including running back Austin Ekeler, defensive end Clelin Ferrell and cornerback Michael Davis, spoke to the media for the first time Monday. Other free agents introduced last week included nine-time Pro Bowl linebacker Bobby Wagner and tight end Zach Ertz.
While some observers might see the infusion of age to the roster as risky in today’s youth-oriented NFL, the new “Over the Hill Gang” being put together in Ashburn told reporters Monday they can provide precious insight to help mold a young roster.
“What I really add to this defense is my knowledge and experience. This is a young team,” Davis said. “I’ve seen a lot of things in this league, played against the best, beat the best, too. … [I’m bringing] experience and just grit, physicality.”
Ekeler, a former undrafted free agent who led the league in touchdowns in 2021 and 2022, comes to Washington after a down season with the Los Angeles Chargers. He said he hopes to bring leadership and a mature presence to the running back room. On the field, he’ll likely split backfield duties with Brian Robinson Jr.
“That’s why I thought it was another good fit for myself, too, to come into a new team with new coaches and a younger running back room,” the 28-year-old Ekeler said about his role.
After a seven-year stint with the Chargers, Ekeler is changing teams for the first time as a professional. He said the atmosphere in Ashburn was electric.
“The energy seems to be really high, which is great because leadership comes from the top down … and you bring players into that that have been around the league that can help spread that culture,” Ekeler said. “When you have leadership that comes in and can hold that standard, then you can create a special culture.”
Davis, who joins the Commanders after seven seasons alongside Ekeler in Los Angeles, said veterans like himself are an essential part of a rebuild.
“In order for a team to restart, you need to have old heads and the young bucks,” Davis said. “That’s the makings of a great team, and that’s exactly what the new general manager and coach Quinn are doing.”
One of the Commanders’ newest “old heads” is the 33-year-old Wagner, who won a Super Bowl with Quinn and the Seattle Seahawks in 2014.
“I feel like I bring a leader, somebody that you can depend on, a playmaker, somebody that’s an extension of the coaches,” Wagner told reporters on Thursday. “I think the leadership that’s come in has shown that they want to make things different than they were before and they want to do it the right way.”
This offseason, building the right way has featured a flurry of free-agent moves at unglamorous positions. New general manager Adam Peters has brought in a medley of veteran and younger players to strengthen position groups, spotlighting weak spots in the trenches. Washington’s newest pass rusher, Clelin Ferrell, said he’s seen a lot in his five NFL seasons.
The Clemson product was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft for the Las Vegas Raiders, but he failed to live up to his draft status. He recorded just 10 sacks in four seasons.
“I needed to go through what I went through to have this perspective … It’s not an easy job. It’s a tough task to win in this league,” Ferrell said. “I feel like at this time in my career, I’m really prepared to grasp it by the horns and really go for it.”
Once a highly touted prospect, the Virginia native left Las Vegas as a bust, then joined the San Francisco 49ers for the 2023 season and resuscitated his fledgling career, starting 17 games for the NFC champions.
This offseason, the former Raider was able to choose his destination and coming back to the East Coast made the most sense.
“I wanted to be a part of a place where we could really build, and what better place than where I grew up,” Ferrell said Monday. “I feel like I have a lot of perspective I can add.”
Growing up in Richmond, the 26-year-old attended Washington training camps with his family. He was also at FedEx Field for the team’s 2013 playoff loss against the Seattle Seahawks.
“To be here, this type of environment where everything feels so new, it’s really inspiring,” Ferrell said. “This area is just waiting for a team with the type of mentality I want to bring to really get behind.”
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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