Washington Football Team: Chase Roullier is no longer undervalued

Chase Roullier is no longer undervalued by the Washington Football Team.

The signing of Chase Roullier to a four-year, $40.5 million contract extension is the recognition by the Washington Football Team of a player they consider important to the future.

To say Chase Roullier has been an underdog is itself an understatement. There was nothing flashy about Roulliers combine numbers. He was an unheralded middle lineman from a non-Power 5 conference. When the Washington Football Team eventually drafted him in the sixth round, most considered him a pick that added depth to the line.

But as we all know, Roullier exceeded those expectations immediately, as he was named a starter halfway through his rookie season. Since being named the starter, he has provided the Washington Football Team with a reliable presence on the line having missed only three starts in his three-and-a-half years as a starter.

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Much like Roullier himself, the position he plays also goes unheralded. However, the center is responsible for calling out reads to the quarterback and instrumental with the cohesiveness of the offensive line. There’s no glory, fans rarely recognize them, but teammates and coaches know the value of a quality center.

There’s also value with players that refrain from getting penalties. As I discuss penalties, I’ll share a story.

On a brisk Fall day in 2019, I traveled to Minnesota to see Washington play. The Vikings have a downtown stadium with tailgate lots spread throughout the downtown landscape. As I arrived at the stadium approximately four hours before kickoff, I searched the lots for Washington fans. It was there I stumbled into a group of fans with Washington gear. Pretty normal, even for road games.

But this crew was different. There was an older gentleman and he was large, like football-player-big. And with him were several other people, a few younger, a few older but they all wore huge pins that read No. 73. As I got closer, there was a lady with a pin that said Roullier’s Mom. Clearly, this larger man was his dad.

As I observed, I pondered, should I go talk to these people or should I leave them alone? They had tables of food, drinks, and many signs of support for Chase. So I figured, these people aren’t trying to hide, they were proud. As I approached his parents, they smiled and waved me over. I told them I was a big fan of their son and was happy he was part of the team. They couldn’t have been more friendly, offering up food, drink, koozies, whatever we wanted or needed.

I spent the next few hours talking with the family and they shared one very interesting story that most fans don’t know.

A few weeks prior, they said Chase called them after a game and he was furious. He asked his Dad if he saw the holding call they penalized him with? Of course, his Dad had seen the play. Chase said to watch it again, it was a terrible call.

Ok, I know, players never think they commit a penalty. What’s so interesting about this story? Well, his Dad said he wasn’t only upset for letting his team down, but it was the first time in his high school, college, and pro career that he’d been called for a holding penalty.

I was blown away, simply incredible to play with that type of discipline and to have that strong of an understanding of how to play the game.

It speaks to his value. In his four years in the NFL, he’s been flagged five times. He doesn’t hurt the team with dumb penalties. You can count on him. That means a lot.

Coach Rivera’s statement on the Roullier extension said it best.

"Chase has been a steady presence and leader on our offensive line all season. He is a great teammate and does everything the right way. He was deserving of an extension and I look forward to continuing to coach him as we work towards sustained success here in Washington."

Rivera hit on a couple of keywords here. Sustained success and a great teammate that does everything the right way.

You see, pundits will point to Roullier as a player that grades out average by some metrics. However, Rivera saw a guy that fits his culture. I know “culture” is a word getting thrown around a lot, but it’s important, and it’s more important now than ever here in Washington at this moment in time.

I wrote about it before, culture becomes the team’s identity. Sure, to be a great team you need elite players, guys like Chase Young. But you also need good players who are committed to the vision of the organization. Guys that care about their teammates, guys you can depend on, and players who will do whatever the coach asks of them.

That creates a culture and it takes a special kind of player. It’s why the Ravens, Patriots, and Steelers have sustained success and it’s what we’re beginning to see here in Washington.

It’s also worth noting that Chase Roullier has been great in the community. He’s teamed up with Washington Football Team Superfans, The Hog Farmers, and supported their foundation which focuses on raising money for pediatric cancer.

Recently, he participated in the NFL’s My Cause, My Cleats campaign where players show their heart on their cleats and have custom-designed cleats made to support the organization of their choice. Roullier’s Hog Farmers cleats were able to raise $1,220, an amount he graciously matched.

Jeff Rinehart of the Hog Farmers told me how the relationship began with Chase Roullier. To no surprise, it was through his dad. The Roullier family helped coordinate getting autographed photos of Chase for the Hog Farmers to raffle with the proceeds going to Pediatric Cancer.

Next. Grading the Chase Roullier extension. dark

Chase isn’t flashy and he may be underrated by some, but only by those who don’t know him. His coaches, teammates, and those around him know his value. Washington Football Team fans should be ecstatic to have him in Washington for the next four years as he is an undervalued piece of the culture change in Washington.

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