Washington Football Team allowing Morgan Moses to seek trade

In a surprising development, the Washington Football Team is reportedly allowing their longest-tenured starter to seek a trade away from the organization.

The Washington Football Team enters the 2021 season in a precarious situation. They’re fresh on the heels of a division title in 2020, but it remains to be seen if they can extend their contention window — at least in the immediate future.

The Washington Football Team has the roster to compete, and their defense is borderline elite after several offseason additions. But the offense remains a bit of a question mark, most notably because of Ryan Fitzpatrick. Until now, of course, Fitzpatrick was arguably the only question mark, with drastic improvements made both on the line and in the receiving core.

Now, however, more uncertainty is starting to brood. According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the Washington Football Team, in a surprise development, is “likely” to move on from long-term starting right tackle Morgan Moses. Rapoport stated that Washington was allowing the 30-year old Moses to seek a trade.

If nothing else, the Washington Football Team’s offseason has given them the flexibility to pull off such a move. Washington added second-round tackle Samuel Cosmi and fellow long-term starter Charles Leno Jr., bolstering their tackle group, which already had 2020 contributor Cornelius Lucas in tow. The move also allows Washington to free up $7.75 million in space, as the team that trades for Moses will take on that salary.

Having said all this, the timing of this decision is somewhat peculiar. At this point, freeing up that money doesn’t do much for Washington. Meanwhile, they’d lose one of their more dependable starters on the offensive side of the ball. If Washington truly wants to compete in 2021, then they’ll need top-notch protection for Ryan Fitzpatrick. Trading the player who started the last 96 games at right tackle doesn’t achieve that.

Furthermore, while Washington does have some depth at tackle, Leno was a left tackle for the Bears, and Cosmi was predominantly a left tackle for the Longhorns. There will be some projection involved, no matter who takes Moses’ spot at right tackle. There’s also Lucas, who was initially signed as the team’s swing tackle in 2020. But regardless, no one quite provides the solidity that Moses does.

Nevertheless, it seems as though the ball is already rolling, regarding Moses’ impending departure. The move will give the Washington Football Team some draft capital in return, with which they may be able to keep taking steps toward their intended destination.