The Washington Football Team will play their most meaningful game of the season this afternoon, when they’ll welcome the NFC-East-leading Dallas Cowboys to what will hopefully be a tempestuous FedEx Field.
Regardless of the result, Washington will still have something to play for over their remaining four games.
Because of that, they should consider any and all avenues to bolster the roster for the stretch run. It’s typically slim pickings on the open market this late into the season, but a more-than-capable player had become available.
Until he wasn’t.
We’re talking about Zach Cunningham, whom the Texas released Wednesday due to repeated disciplinary issues.
As expected, it didn’t take Cunningham long to find a new home. In fact, he didn’t even leave the AFC South, as the Titans, who were behind Washington in the waiver wire pecking order, made the most of a golden opportunity.
Titans claimed former Texans’ LB Zach Cunningham on waivers, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 9, 2021
The Washington Football Team should’ve claimed Zach Cunningham.
After Week 3, the waiver order is set in the reverse order of the league standings. That means Washington, slated 17th in that regard following Week 13, had to hope and pray Cunningham went unclaimed.
That would’ve freed him up to sign with any team.
Instead, Cunningham was claimed by Tennessee, which was listed 28th (!) in the waiver wire order entering Week 14.
It’s not the best of looks for Washington, whose defense’s weakness link is clearly at linebacker. Outside of the occasional splash play from Jamin Davis, Cole Holcomb has largely been on a one-man show at the position. Though he’s performed well, his lack of support has only made his job more challenging, which, in turn, increases his chances of making a mistake.
Had Cunningham been claimed by Washington, we’d not only see a more cohesive LB unit take form, but we’d likely see an improved version of Holcomb, which is scary to think about.
Cunningham’s presence also would’ve given Landon Collins more freedom to line up the line of scrimmage, where he’s clearly most comfortable.
What makes this sting THAT much more is that Cunningham, who inked a four-your $58 million extension last offseason, is only on the books for a $275,000 cap hit for the rest of the season.
The Texans restructured Zach Cunningham’s contract this offseason, meaning a claiming team would inherit just a $275,000 cap hit for the rest 2021.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) December 8, 2021
The 26-year old LB has no guarantees as of now for 2022, making him even more likely to find a team via waivers. https://t.co/uhEFgTV03h
Yeah, this one hurts.
Cunningham is just a solid player. He’s notched at least 100 tackles in each of the last three seasons and led the league in that category last year with 163 combined stops. He hasn’t made quite the same impact in 2021, but you have to think his production will take off with the seemingly playoff-bound Titans.
While he couldn’t have gone about forcing his way out of Houston more professionally, can you really blame him for wanting out in the first place? He’s far too talented to spend another second with the Texans.
It’s a shame Washington couldn’t pull this one off.
Just beat Dallas and all will be forgiven.