It’s nearly a complete overhaul for the Washington Commanders. Not even their leading free agents remain.
On the same day quarterback Sam Howell was traded to Seattle, free agents Kendall Fuller, Kam Curl and Curtis Samuel signed elsewhere. Jacoby Brissett and Antonio Gibson departed earlier.
The over/under on the 53-man roster this fall may be 40 new players.
It’s not like there were many can’t-lose players on a 4-13 roster that lost its last eight games. Receiver Terry McLaurin, guard Sam Cosmi, punter Tress Way and interior defensive linemen Daron Payne and Jon Allen are the entire list.
But general manager Adam Peters is purging the Commanders of their past, including the 2020 draft class now gone. Again, not the worst thing. Just a little surprising even productive players like Samuel and Gibson weren’t retained. Curl probably wanted too much money and found only half of it with the Los Angeles Rams. Sometimes, players take a lesser deal elsewhere rather than face the old locker room.
There’s plenty of new energy coming to Commanders Park. Peters signed 14 free agents over the first three days; the team’s biggest influx ever despite many a rebuilding movement over the past 30 years.
Washington has rebuilt its pass rush, interior offensive line and special teams. It found a backup quarterback that certainly sets up the No. 2 overall draft pick to be a passer. Indeed, Washington’s massive needs allowed Peters to scattershot the board and let the draft find a quarterback, left tackle and cornerback with three picks in the first two rounds and six in the first 100 selections.
Of course, the team’s fortunes come down to quarterback, Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels...maybe Caleb Williams if Chicago pulls a stunt with the first pick. Washington is spreading the load so a rookie passer isn’t forced to carry the team like Howell essentially was last year when entering with one game’s experience.
With Howell, Washington had the option of not taking a passer with the No. 2 pick. The Commanders could have chosen receiver Marvin Harrison and dipped into the second round for a quarterback. But, doing so now means Marcus Mariota would start and the Burgundy Revolution would lose its mind over yet another journeyman opening for the fourth time in five years. No, not happening under owner Josh Harris’ watch. The goal is to sell tickets to local fans rather than visiting ones.
The roster is now overflowing with young, mid-career vets rather than underperforming draft picks and Carolina castoffs. The coaching staff has players wanting to come to Washington rather than repelled. Ownership has fans willing to support the team once more rather than focus on expelling Dan Snyder through economic sanctions.
It’s almost an expansion-like reboot, but after decades of mediocrity, a new wave should lift the franchise.