The Washington Commanders made significant roster adjustments on Tuesday, adhering to the league's mandate to trim down to 53 players. This move saw notable changes and highlighted some surprising decisions.
Key Trades and Cuts
Perhaps the most headline-grabbing move was the trade of wide receiver Jahan Dotson to the Philadelphia Eagles. This trade certainly raises eyebrows considering Dotson's potential and contributions. The roster cuts also notably affected several recent draft picks, including Ricky Stromberg, Braeden Daniels, K.J. Henry, Chris Rodriguez, and Andre Jones Jr.
For a team that has been trying to build through the draft, the remaining talent from the past few drafts is sparse. From the seven-player group drafted 16 months ago, only Emmanuel Forbes Jr. and Quan Martin are still wearing the Commanders' colors. Reflecting on Ron Rivera's drafting tenure from 2020 to 2023, only 12 of the 33 players drafted remain on the roster.
Remaining Squad Structure
The Commanders find themselves currently holding the second waiver wire claim spot, just behind the Carolina Panthers. As the roster stands, they now have three quarterbacks, three running backs, six wide receivers, four tight ends, nine offensive linemen, nine defensive linemen, five cornerbacks, six safeties, and three specialists. This spread gives insight into areas the team sees strength and depth, and also those that might invite further attention as players shake loose from other teams.
Among the more notable roster cuts were quarterbacks Sam Hartman and Trace McSorley, and running backs Chris Rodriguez Jr., Michael Wiley, and Austin Jones. On the wide receiver front, Martavis Bryant, Kazmeir Allen, Davion Davis, Mitchell Tinsley, Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, and Brycen Tremayne didn't make the cut, raising questions about the depth and options in the receiver corps moving forward.
Offensive and Defensive Adjustments
Tight end Cole Turner and offensive linemen Ricky Stromberg, Cameron Tom, and Julian Good-Jones were also released. These decisions narrow the options the Commanders have both in pass protection and in the receiving game from the tight end position.
On the defensive side, cuts included K.J. Henry, Andre Jones Jr., Jalen Harris, and Justin Hollins. Additionally, linebackers Chapelle Russell and Anthony Pittman, and cornerbacks Chigozie Anusiem and Nick Whiteside, were released. These defensive cuts, while perhaps expected in a numbers game, do make the defense look markedly different as the Commanders head into the new season.
Among the retained defensive stalwarts, Allen and Payne remain the anchors in the middle of the defensive line. The safety tandem of Martin and Jeremy Chinn promises stability and versatility in the backfield.
Leadership's Perspective
Coach Dan Quinn shed light on the decision-making process behind these moves, emphasizing the team's focus on making the best decisions for improvement. "We're always going to make what we think is the best decision for the team. That's our obligation. There's no 'ours' or 'theirs,' or any of that kind of good stuff. Like once I was here, I connected with lots of players here. So yeah, no looking at it as anything other than just do what we need to do best for the team and really that's where it starts and ends," Quinn remarked.
He further elaborated on the potential movements to come. "As the wire comes back out today, obviously the scouting department is the key part of that, of assessing a player that may be on another team that gets released and a current player on our team," Quinn explained.
Quinn also touched on the fast-paced nature of roster adjustments during this period. "It's pretty normal around the league this year at this time that a lot of these conversations and things happen. And quite often, you look at some players that never end up making it on the waiver wire. I think we'll have a better assessment for that as we head into tomorrow afternoon and the days ahead," he noted.
Highlighting the attributes he values, Quinn praised those who embody the Commanders' playing style. "You feel their intensity, you feel their speed when they play. The speed, the physicality, the effort, the straining, those are things that are Commander-style plays and I thought those two really represented that," he said. Although he didn't specify which players he was referring to, it's clear that the emphasis is on speed and physicality.
As the Commanders navigate these significant roster changes, the focus remains on building a competitive team that embodies the grit and tenacity expected by both the leadership and the fans. The coming days and weeks will likely bring further adjustments as they finalize their roster for the season ahead.