4 free-agent offensive tackles the Commanders could sign in 2023
By Dean Jones
Commanders could sign Kaleb McGary
The Atlanta Falcons performed better than many envisaged for large parts of the 2022 campaign. They also have a substantial amount of salary-cap space to strengthen their cause with the NFC South wide open next time around.
One of the first things on their to-do list should be working out a long-term deal with Kaleb McGary. Atlanta didn’t pick up his fifth-year option and will now pay the price after an outstanding campaign from the right tackle, who was almost flawless in all phases at the best possible time for his own financial gain.
McGary played 1,051 snaps on offense for the Falcons in 2022, giving up five penalties and conceding six sacks en route to a superb 86.6 grade from Pro Football Focus. This durability and consistency will make him a hot commodity on the free-agent market.
The former Washington college star is set to command an annual salary of $17.7 million on a four-year, $70.98 million deal according to Spotrac. While that is a lot of money to shell out, the Washington Commanders would have absolutely nothing to worry about on the right edge if they went in this particular direction.
It’s not going to be cheap. But the time for half-measures and band-aid fixes has come and gone from the Commanders’ standpoint.