Which Washington Commanders players are extremely early cut candidates in 2024 unless things improve dramatically next season?
Looking too far ahead is always a dangerous game where the NFL is concerned. There is a lot of football to be played between now and when the 2024 offseason begins, which will go a long way to determining whether or not landmark changes occur across the Washington Commanders.
With Dan Snyder’s reign of terror almost at an end, a new owner or ownership consortium could decide that starting from scratch in the front office and within the coaching staff is the best route forward. Something that only raises the stakes further for head coach Ron Rivera during his fourth season at the helm.
This also has a considerable impact on the players. Any new regime brings its own set of ideas and preferred guys, so expect some substantial personnel turnover in the event things don’t go according to plan for Washington next time around.
It all adds to the fascination when competitive games commence once again. On this topic, here are four extremely early-cut candidates for the Commanders in 2024.
Cut Candidate No. 1
Tress Way – Commanders P
- Cap saving – $3.15 million
Even though Tress Way is coming off his second Pro Bowl campaign, some may deem his salary in 2024 as too high for a punter all things considered. If the production doesn’t remain at the same level next season, a situation could emerge where the Washington Commanders go with a younger, cheaper alternative.
Cutting Way ahead of time saves the Commanders $3.15 million. If a new coaching staff comes into the fold, they’ll want as much spare cash as possible to put their plans into action.
Logan Thomas – Commanders TE
- Cap saving – $6.56 million
The Washington Commanders are seemingly content to move forward with their current tight-end options. Perhaps in the hope that Eric Bieniemy’s appointment can become the spark that ignites this unit to more consistent productivity during the 2023 season.
One man who’ll be counted upon more than most is Logan Thomas. The former Virginia Tech standout has flashed moments of real quality since joining the Commanders, but injuries and inconsistency have crept into his game in recent years – something he won’t want to continue next season.
Thomas has some significant pressure on his shoulders heading into the preparation period. Young guns such as Cole Turner and Armani Rogers will fancy their chances of more involvement and the Commanders could also select a talented prospect from a deep draft class to enhance competition.
Should Thomas fail to raise his game, it’s going to be a real problem. Something that would leave his status long-term hanging by a thread.
If the Commanders cut ties with Thomas in 2024, they’d save $6.56 million against their cap and accumulate just $1.75 million in dead money. Based on his current career trajectory, it’s entirely possible.
Chase Roullier – Commanders C
- Cap saving – $10.16 million
In truth, this could happen way before the 2024 offseason gets here. Chase Roullier‘s status with the Washington Commanders looks especially uncertain, which is a real shame considering how well the offensive lineman performed before injuries took their toll.
After featuring just 10 times over the last two seasons, Roullier’s health can longer be relied upon. The Commanders recognize this for themselves, which is why they extended Tyler Larsen and signed the versatile Nick Gates in free agency.
If the Commanders also get themselves a college center via the draft, Roullier might not see the start of 2023. Releasing him with a post-June 1 designation comes with $8 million saved, which increases further this time next year to $10.16 million.
The former sixth-round selection is being paid like a top-tier center these days. While he’s highly productive when on the field more often than not, dependability is a major issue at a time when Washington needs all the help it can get across its protection.
Roullier could shine this offseason when fit and play a part. But he’d need to perform at a Pro Bowl level to justify his $14.21 salary cap hit in 2024.
And make no mistake, Ron Rivera won’t be sitting on his hands with the coach’s own job prospects on the line next season.
Charles Leno Jr. – Commanders OT
- Cap saving – $12 million
For all the positive moves made by the Washington Commanders to strengthen their offensive line this offseason, they still need to figure out a long-term plan at left tackle. Acquiring one during the draft is a possibility, but the coaching staff might be content to see what Charles Leno Jr. can do with better options around him.
Leno is a supreme leader of men with the personality to match. He did give up eight sacks and conceded four penalties from 1,189 snaps on offense last season, but the player was undeniably the best lineman Washington had and the only one that displayed any sort of consistency throughout the campaign.
Having this veteran presence on the blindside will be invaluable to Sam Howell if he wins the starting quarterback job as expected. Whether Leno is the No. 1 option this season or not is irrelevant – this could be his final season with the Commanders when factoring everything into the equation.
The former seventh-round pick out of Boise State will be 33 years old when the 2024 season begins. Leno is also counting $14.25 million against the cap with a $12 million saving if he’s cut loose ahead of time.
Leno is a hard guy to root against. But at the end of the day, the NFL is a business above all else.