Will Commanders sign recently-released LB after Nathan Gerry’s injury?

The Washington Commanders‘ offseason roster currently sits at 80 players following the second round of cuts Tuesday. The club made a flurry of noteworthy moves, but moving star edge rusher Chase Young to the Reserve/PUP list stole headlines for obvious reasons as it knocks him out the first four games of the season.

In addition to the Young news, the Commanders released wideout Kelvin Harmon and tackle Rashod Hill, Tyler Larsen joined Young on Reserve/PUP and recent linebacker signing Nathan Gerry landed on injured reserve.

The big takeaway there is Gerry’s injury. The Commanders signed Gerry with the intention of deploying him as their coverage specialist. Though flawed, there was some sense behind that plan, as David Mayo, the other top backup, specializes against the run. Might as well have another who can defend the pass, right?

Well, that dream was short-lived, because Gerry is done for the year. He could reach an injury settlement with Washington — like they did with Sammis Reyes — which would allow him to sign with another team, but the injury leaves Mayo, Khaleke Hudson, Milo Eifler and UDFA Tre Walker as the top backups.

Simply put, the Commanders need an experienced linebacker. Luckily, the Broncos released Joe Schobert in their second wave of cuts and The Athletic’s Ben Standig made an interesting point on Twitter in response to the news.

Should the Commanders sign Joe Schobert to replace Nathan Gerry?

We floated Schobert as a potential band-aid for Washington’s linebacker wound earlier this offseason. He’s not a perfect solution, but Ron Rivera has made it clear he’s not spending a premium for another LB, so that rules out Dont’a Hightower and Alexander Johnson. Not to mention, Anthony Barr (Cowboys) and Kwon Alexander (Jets), the other top free agents, have since found new homes.

It’s apparent Rivera is prepared to sink or swim with Cole Holcomb and Jamin Davis as the starters. The Commanders also don’t play a ton of three-LB sets, so it doesn’t make much sense (from their perspective) to sign a three-down player when they want to give Davis every rep to enhance his develop.

That puts more onus on Holcomb, which could sink his overall effectiveness, but there’s no point fighting a losing battle.

Schobert, meanwhile, has regressed since his Pro Bowl 2017 season in Cleveland, but he’s still a serviceable linebacker. The Broncos releasing him isn’t an indictment on his talent, either. Perhaps they’re content with their current LBs and cut him out of respect so he’d have enough time to sign elsewhere before Week 1.

Whatever the case, Schobert’s production is undeniable and would be a welcome sight in Washington. Over the last five seasons, he’s averaged 126.6 tackles to go with 29 passes defended (!), 10 interceptions, 22 tackles for loss and 10 forced fumbles. Calculate that over a five-year stretch and you come up with the best linebacker output the franchise has seen in several seasons.

Do the right thing, Washington.