Washington Football Team releases OTs Morgan Moses, Geron Christian

The Washington Football Team will almost certainly have two new starters at tackle in 2021, after their latest move.

Earlier this week, it was surprisingly reported that the Washington Football Team was “likely” to move on from long-time starting right tackle Morgan Moses. The news was made more surprising by Moses’ resurgent 2020 campaign. The veteran blocker improved upon a disappointing 2019 season, and appeared to reaffirm his status as one of the better right tackles in the league.

The Washington Football Team was still busy at the tackle position in the offseason, nonetheless. They signed experienced starter Charles Leno Jr., and drafted high-upside prospect Samuel Cosmi in the second round. Furthermore, they traded for Ereck Flowers, to provide more flexibility across the line overall.

Washington no doubt made clear their intentions to improve on the offensive front, but through it all, right tackle seemed to be one of the safer spots. Now, however, we know that’s not the case. As has been confirmed by The Athletic’s Ben Standig, the Washington Football Team has released Morgan Moses, as well as ill-fated third-round pick Geron Christian.

Moses’ release confirms the earlier report that Washington was looking to move on, but the fact that Washington was unable to get any assets at all for him is confounding. Moses is arguably a top-12 right tackle the league, and several teams, most notably potential contenders like the Denver Broncos and the Pittsburgh Steelers, could have shown interest.

Perhaps the Washington Football Team lost their leverage when their intentions to part ways with Moses were made public. Nevertheless, Moses is now gone, and he leaves a Washington Football Team still mired in confusion. He was a cost-effective starter, and a stable piece. Why was Washington willing to part ways with him, and willing to do so without getting anything back?

The Christian release is easier to stomach. Christian entered the 2020 season as the starting left tackle, and started the first six games. He wasn’t terrible, but he didn’t rise above replacement-level play before an injury removed him from the field near the halfway point. Cornelius Lucas stepped in and provided an upgrade from Christian at left tackle, and shortly after gracing the injury report, Christian was placed on injured reserve.

Two spots are now open on the Washington Football Team’s offensive line. It’ll be interesting to see what Washington does there, but the more compelling conversation rests at the top.

The Washington Football Team has three potential starters in Charles Leno Jr., Samuel Cosmi, and Cornelius Lucas. But which combination ultimately gets the nod? Does Lucas pick up where he left off at left tackle, or does Leno start at his natural position? Does the rookie Cosmi factor into the equation, or do the veterans hold down the line early on?

Ultimately, it just makes for a more intriguing preseason. And there is some amount of reputation on the line for Ron Rivera and company. They’ve parted ways with a competent starter, and no legitimate reasons for the move stand out. Washington can make it right, but by releasing Moses, they’ve created more work for themselves, and it’s hard to see what it was worth.