How did the Washington Commanders emerge from a busy first few hours of the legal tampering period ahead of free agency in 2023?
It was a relatively slow start to the legal tampering period when 12 p.m. hit on Monday. But the blue touch paper was lit soon after with some eye-catching transitions agreed around the NFL.
The Washington Commanders went a little under the radar as expected. They planned to be shrewd with the money available and their initial moves dictated as much despite getting some additional resources thanks to Daron Payne’s lucrative contract extension.
There will be many more moves to come as the Commanders look to give themselves extra freedom before the 2023 NFL Draft. But it was no shock to see those in power strengthen their offensive line as a matter of extreme urgency.
With this in mind, we took an in-depth look at and graded the Commanders’ first three moves of the early free-agent negotiating period in 2023.
Signing No. 1
Commanders re-signed Danny Johnson
- Two-year deal: $2.75 million guaranteed
The Washington Commanders kicked off the legal tampering period by getting an extension worked out with defensive back Danny Johnson. Something that represented a relative bargain for a player who shone in a rotational role last season.
Grade: B
There could be a bigger role for Johnson next season depending on what other cornerback reinforcements are acquired during free agency and the 2023 NFL Draft. But this is a cost-effective way to boost depth if nothing else.
Commanders signed Nick Gates (OL)
- Three-year, $18 million deal ($8 million guaranteed)
It didn’t take a genius to figure out that the Washington Commanders were going to identify their offensive line as a position group in need of major upgrades. Something that was addressed by those in power within the first two hours of the legal tampering period with the signing of Nick Gates from the New York Giants.
This is a full-circle situation for Gates, who broke his tibia and fibula against the Commanders in 2021, which resulted in seven surgeries before the lineman finally came back during the previous campaign.
While health is a major worry given the severity of Gates’ previous complication, the former Nebraska star is versatile and aggressive. This is exactly what Ron Rivera normally looks for in his offensive linemen.
Much will depend on where the Commanders plan to use Gates. One suspects it will be on the interior – possibly as a guard – but they could also slot him into the center position depending on what transpires with Chase Roullier.
Grade: C+
At three years and $8 million guaranteed, it’s a low-risk option for Washington. If Gates puts a consistent run of games together, then it could be a nice bit of business – although there’s absolutely no guarantee that will happen based on recent history.
Commanders signed Andrew Wylie (OT)
- Three-year, $24 million deal
It didn’t take long for Eric Bieniemy to use his stroke once the free-agent frenzy began. The assistant head coach/offensive coordinator went back to his old employers at the first possible opportunity to acquire Andrew Wylie – another versatile offensive lineman who already knows what the respected coach wants from his offense.
A three-year, $24 million deal was enough for Wylie to link immediately back up with Bieniemy with the Washington Commanders. He was an ever-present for the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, playing 1,086 snaps en route to an average 63.1 grade from Pro Football Focus.
While this could be a smart addition – and Bieniemy should be trusted until further notice – there are some obvious red flags with Wylie’s arrival. He gave up a ton of pressures last season that resulted in nine sacks and there were also some discipline issues, which led to eight penalties throughout the campaign.
Placing Wylie on the edge at right tackle is risky, there’s no getting away from that. But much like the situation with Nick Gates, the former Eastern Michigan prospect has the versatility to go inside if that’s something the Commanders want.
Grade: C
This isn’t earth-shattering. But it’s probably what the Commanders could afford and although the terms of the deal weren’t readily available in terms or year-on-year outlay, it would be a big surprise if there wasn’t a chance to move on after 2023 or at the very worst, 2024.