4 recent Commanders departures who could win a Super Bowl in 2022

The Washington Commanders have undergone ample roster turnover since Ron Rivera presided over football operations during the 2020 offseason. While the roster’s core is largely still in tact, the veteran role players, depth pieces and overall culture look markedly different in comparison to before Rivera’s arrival.

Entering his third season as the Commanders’ head coach and lead personnel decision-maker, Rivera faces huge pressure to deliver in 2022.

While compelling, let’s put the Rivera talk on ice for the time being and turn our attention to Washington’s departures over the last few years. With so many roster spots, the list is impossible to keep track of, but some players have been fortunate enough to land on their feet with teams that have high ceilings.

With that in mind, let’s highlight four recent departures who could end up hoisting the Lombardi Trophy by the end of next season.

These 4 recent Commanders departures could win a Super Bowl with their new teams in 2022.

4 & 3. DeAndre Carter, Dustin Hopkins (Chargers)

The Chargers are the least likely team on this list to win a championship next season, but they’re definitely on the shortlist of candidates after their representative offseason. Their plethora of pickups included lockdown corner JC Jackson, star linebacker Khalil Mack, vet LB Kyle Van Noy, underrated defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day, tight end Gerald Everett and return specialist DeAndre Carter.

Simply put, Carter was an indispensable piece for Washington in 2021, finishing third in yards averaged per kickoff return and second in total kickoff return yardage while posting career-highs across the board as a receiver, including catches, receiving yards, touchdowns, first down and targets.

Carter will be an important player for the Chargers, whose litany of offseason additions puts them squarely in the mix to compete in the loaded AFC.

In Los Angeles, Carter will reunite with former teammate Dustin Hopkins, whom Washington surprisingly let go in October of last season, albeit after a number of missed extra points and crunch-time field goals.

Despite leaving on bad terms, fans were thrilled to see the veteran kicker find a home with the Chargers, with whom he drilled 18-of-20 field goals, including a perfect 7-for-7 from 40-49 yards and 30-of-32 on extra points over 11 games.

Both players will have to perform well on the big stage if Justin Herbert and the Chargers have any hope of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.