Washington Football Team: Sean Davis’ release shows confidence in Troy Apke

Sean Davis’ release shows the Washington Football Team has a lot of confidence in Troy Apke.

During the 2020 offseason, the Washington Football Team made what many believed was a high upside move at the safety position. They inked Sean Davis to a one-year deal in hopes that the former Pittsburgh Steelers starter could emerge as a steady complement to Landon Collins at the safety position.

There was some reason for optimism. After all, Davis was a three-year starter who appeared in 48 games and averaged 81 tackles per season with five total interceptions before missing the 2019 campaign with an injury. The 26-year-old was a star at the University of Maryland, a DMV native, and a former second-round pick with good athletic traits. Many assumed that he was a shoo-in for the 53-man roster.

However, Davis generated little buzz during the offseason. He didn’t make much noise during camp and as a result, he was cut by Washington as they trimmed their roster to 53 men.

More from Riggo's Rag

• Highlighting the best Commanders 2023 NFL Draft betting props
• 3 late Commanders rumors drawing buzz ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft
• 4 bold predictions for the Commanders 2023 NFL Draft
• Commanders News: Chase Young trade, draft day, CB riser and Sam Howell
• Bet365 VA Bonus Code – Claim $200 Guaranteed With Sign-Up Bonus 

Davis’exclusion from the roster will likely allow the team to keep Kamren Curl around as special teams depth and a potential future backup at safety. But the bigger takeaway from Davis being cut is the faith that Washington is showing in Troy Apke to be their starter next to Collins.

Apke has been one of the biggest surprises of Washington’s offseason so far. The third-year man has quickly emerged as the top safety option for the team and has earned nothing but praise from Ron Rivera, Jack Del Rio, and the rest of the coaching staff.

Apke always has possessed elite athletic ability, but as a converted receiver, he was very raw at the safety position. He showed some growth there during the 2019 season but not enough to inspire confidence that he would make the 2020 roster. Evidently though, he made a big leap during the offseason and is now ready to contribute in an expanded role.

It was presumed that even with Apke starting, Washington would keep Davis around in case Apke had issues.

That said, by getting rid of Davis, it shows that the team is confident that Apke can do the job. Sure, Deshazor Everett or the rookie Curl could fill in if Apke falters, but both are better served as special teams aces and neither has the same starting experience as Davis. That means that Apke is the starter through and through and the team believes the chance of him faltering is slim.

We’ll soon see if Washington’s belief in Apke is warranted. But no matter how you look at it, the move to cut Davis was a vote of confidence for the third-year safety.