4 prominent former Commanders still on the free-agent scrap heap in 2023
By Dean Jones
Which former Washington Commanders players are still sitting on the scrap heap with the 2023 free agency period well underway?
Players come and players go. That is the nature of free agency and the NFL in general, so it’s been no surprise to see some significant personnel turnover around the league during a frenzied spell of activity over the last week and a half.
The Washington Commanders have been prudent with their spending, which was necessary considering they aren’t exactly flush with available resources. Veterans have been signed to team-friendly deals with the hope of improving problem position groups, with the organization also landing a solid veteran quarterback in Jacoby Brissett to assist and compete with Sam Howell.
Daron Payne’s contract extension was the biggest financial outlay of the offseason by a considerable margin. There have also been numerous departures including Bobby McCain, Cam Sims, and Wes Schweitzer among others.
With this in mind, here are four prominent former Commanders players still sitting on the free-agent scrap heap in 2023.
Former Player No. 1
Matt Ioannidis – Former Commanders DL
While the Washington Commanders rightfully made Matt Ioannidis a salary-cap casualty in 2022, the defensive lineman’s talent was never in question. Something that came to the fore once again after he linked up with his ex-college coach Matt Rhule on the Carolina Panthers.
Ioannidis dealt with some injuries, but his production was encouraging alongside Derrick Brown. Something that provided the former first-round pick with a stable interior presence en route to a breakout campaign.
The new regime in Carolina has gone in a different direction. But it’s unlikely Ioannidis will be out of work for much longer.