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Breaking down the Washington Football Team’s position battles: Left Guard

By Jacob Camenker

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 29: Wes Martin #67 of the Washington Football Team blocks B.J. Hill #95 of the New York Giants during their game at MetLife Stadium on September 29, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 29: Wes Martin #67 of the Washington Football Team blocks B.J. Hill #95 of the New York Giants during their game at MetLife Stadium on September 29, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 20: Wes Schweitzer #71 of the Atlanta Falcons takes the field prior to a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 20, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 20: Wes Schweitzer #71 of the Atlanta Falcons takes the field prior to a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 20, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

Top Challenger: Wes Schweitzer

During the 2020 offseason, the Washington Football Team signed Wes Schweitzer to a three-year deal for $13.5 million. The signing was met with little fanfare, as Schweitzer was viewed merely as a stopgap option along the offensive line.

For much of the offseason, Schweitzer was the presumed favorite to start at left guard because of that contract. But one problem has arisen during camp. Schweitzer hasn’t been healthy.

Schweitzer has been working off to the side during the past couple of days of practice as he deals with an undisclosed malady. It may only be a minor issue, but his absence has given Martin a chance to continue to build on his lead in the position battle. And unless Schweitzer gets back on the field soon, he’ll probably end up being the top backup at the position.

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Having Schweitzer as a backup may be ideal for Washington. He has starting experience at guard and can serve as an interior backup and an emergency tackle on game day. He would improve the team’s depth but wouldn’t be on the field enough to be a liability.

Perhaps that is the main reason that Schweitzer was brought on board. Many assumed that the $4.5 million AAV deal meant that Schweitzer was favored to start, but perhaps he was brought aboard as a short-term depth piece. The finer details of the contract reveal that the pact is more of a one-year deal with non-guaranteed money for future seasons if the team and Schweitzer decide the marriage works out.

Again, if Schweitzer can get healthy and Martin regresses, perhaps he’ll push for the starting job. But until then, he’s just a top challenger at the position, and not a very strong one at that.

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