Riggo's Rag
FanSided

3 worst moves of the Commanders’ offseason thus far

By Jerry Trotta

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAR 01: Ron Rivera, head coach of the Washington Commanders speaks to reporters during the NFL Draft Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on March 1, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAR 01: Ron Rivera, head coach of the Washington Commanders speaks to reporters during the NFL Draft Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on March 1, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
(Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
(Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images) /

2. Not Adding Insurance at Tight End

Another head-scratcher. The fact Washington hasn’t signed a tight end indicates they believe Logan Thomas, who’ recovering from December ACL surgery, will be ready for Week 1, or they see John Bates as more than an intermediate pass catcher.

Assuming Thomas will exercise caution and miss the first couple games, the Commanders are putting unnecessary pressure on Bates’ shoulders. You might counter by saying this could be rectified by drafting a TE, but we wouldn’t count on another fourth/fifth rounder replicating Bates’ success as a rookie.

It’s very rare that rookie tight ends catch on. Baking on that to happen for another season is risky, if not reckless. We just don’t understand why Washington didn’t make a Ricky Seals-Jones-like addition this time around.

The veteran’s 2021 stats won’t jump off the screen, but anyone who watched the Commanders knows how valuable he was as an injury replacement for Thomas. At the end of the day, 30 catches, 14 of which went for first downs, for 271 yards and two touchdowns is solid production for a backup tight end.

Though Seals-Jones signed with the Giants, Washington bypassed several quality free agents, including OJ Howard ($3.5 million), Hayden Hurst ($3.5 million), Anthony Firkser ($1.18 million) and Jacob Hollister ($1.18 million).

The good news for Washington is there’s plenty of veteran talent still available, including Jared Cook, Eric Ebron and Kyle Rudolph. There’s still time, but not signing one of the other (younger) options looks like a mistake given the current state of the roster and that Thomas played just six games in 2021.

Home/Commanders News