Bobby McCain re-signing brings needed assurance after free agency losses

To say the Washington Commanders’ start to free agency was forgettable would be an understatement for the ages.

Within the first 27 hours of the legal tampering period, the Commanders sat back and watched Brandon Scherff sign a $16.5 million contract with Jacksonville, making him the highest-paid guard in the NFL on a per year basis.

That gut-punch was followed by hometown favorite Tim Settle inking a two-year deal with the Bills. Because when it rains it pours, Tuesday’s wave of signings included JD McKissic following Settle to Orchard Park for $7 million over two years.

Pretty much the worst start imaginable for the Commanders.

After the devastating McKissic news, though, the front office extended a needed olive branch to fans by re-signing Bobby McCain.

McCain’s deal is worth $11 over two years.

The Commanders have re-signed veteran safety Bobby McCain.

The move cant become officially until the new league year, which is set to start Wednesday afternoon at 4 p.m. EST.  Regardless, this is a commendable move on the Commanders’ part, as McCain proved invaluable as a free safety after Landon Collins was booted from the secondary and moved closer to the line of scrimmage.

Assuming the seven-year pro takes on a full-time role at the position, Washington will return their entire starting secondary from last season. Given continuity reigns supreme in the NFL, that’s a nice little accomplishment for the front office.

While Marcus Williams and Tyrann Mathieu would’ve been outstanding additions for the Commanders, re-signing McCain was truly the next best thing. He enjoyed a career year last campaign, tallying personal bests in tackles (63), passes defended (nine) and interceptions (four).

McCain even notched his first career defensive touchdown in 2021 and his 72.6 coverage grade from PFF was his highest since 2017 and only trailed Kendall Fuller’s 78.7 grade for the best mark on the team in that regard.

The Commanders will need to find someone to fill Collins’ hybrid role, but the secondary was far more worrisome than the run D last season.

We still have questions about the approach to the offseason, and losing Scherff, Settle and McKissic within a 24-hour span is a crushing blow, but we have to give the front office credit where it’s due for retaining McCain.

Let’s hope more positive moves follow.