Redskins confidence in Roullier spells doubt for Spencer Long’s future

Chase Roullier has impressed this year, and he’s gotten better as the season has gone along. His quick progression cultivates a question. What will happen to Spencer Long?

Long is currently on the final year of his rookie contract. When his deal expires, he’ll likely demand starting center money. He performed admirably when healthy, giving the Redskins little to worry about on the center of the line. But is the gap between Long and Roullier as large as the age difference?

Long has been good, but so has Roullier. It was predicted that Roullier would be a steal in the sixth round. Pro Football Focus’ Mark Chichester pegged the Wyoming product as a facet of the team’s long-term future, citing his overall blocking prowess and his fundamental upside. And now, on the heels of their Week 15 matchup against the Cardinals, Jay Gruden found himself uttering the same sentiments, per Kyle Tasman of 247 Sports.

"Chase did good. He did good. It was good to see him back in there. His snaps were outstanding and handled the calls and play well. I like Chase’s progress right now. I think he is going to be a very good center for a long time here. It was a great pickup for us in the draft."

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For other young blockers, such as Tyler Catalina and Arie Kouandjio, the gap between them and their starting counterparts have been more noticeable. But in the wake of injury, Roullier has led a smooth transition at the center position. The game has slowed down considerably for him as the year has gone on. He’s providing the Redskins with high level play, and with another offseason of work, perhaps as the unquestioned starter, there’s no telling what steps he can take in 2018.

Roullier’s promise casts a wave of doubt over Long’s future with the Redskins. Keeping Roullier and moving on from the aforementioned veteran would be far cheaper, and with so many players due for new contracts, particularly on the offensive side of the ball, shedding some space by letting go of Long may be the most sensible option. If the Redskins truly believe that Roullier can be great, then Long, who is three years older than Roullier, may be headed out the door.

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Are Long and the Redskins headed for an amicable breakup by year’s end? Jay Gruden’s recent comments don’t go far into that territory, but they certainly incite discussion. A changing of the guard could be underway in the trenches. And in the end, a sixth-round rookie may reign supreme.