How can the cash-strapped Washington Commanders free up some extra salary-cap space before the all-important 2023 NFL Draft?
After a busy period of free agency for the Washington Commanders, they are once again up against it from a salary-cap standpoint. Over the Cap has them sitting with $2.95 million in available resources, which makes it difficult to sign their 2023 NFL Draft class and pick up a veteran or two before OTAs roll around.
Teams are constantly manipulating the salary cap to suit their needs. The Commanders haven’t done as much compared to others, but they would be wise to explore the possibility given how much is at stake for the franchise in 2023.
Dan Snyder is letting the new owner – whoever they might be – foot the bill for bonus payments based on a recent report for Ben Standig. Something that could complicate further moves until the situation is resolved one way or another.
Without further ado, here are three ways the cash-strapped Commanders can boost their available cap space before the 2023 NFL Draft.
Move No. 1
Commanders could cut Chase Roullier
- Cap saving – $8.37 million (post-June 1 designation)
It’s becoming increasingly obvious that Chase Roullier might be the odd man out in 2023. The veteran center is a solid performer when healthy, but availability is a major concern and something the Washington Commanders can no longer rely upon.
Releasing Roullier with a post-June 1 designation saves the Commanders $8.37 million and adds $4.05 million to their dead money. This is almost enough to sign their entire draft class if they keep eight selections.
Commanders could extend and restructure Curtis Samuel
- Cap saving – $7.29 million
Of all the players set to benefit from Eric Bieniemy’s presence within the Washington Commanders, wide receiver Curtis Samuel is right at the top.
Samuel’s dynamic capabilities with the football in his hands coupled with how impactful the player is in motion look tailor-made for the offensive system being implemented by Bieniemy in 2023. But everything must go well during the upcoming preparation period.
Samuel is also entering a contract year, which is further motivation for the one-time Ohio State standout. Ron Rivera’s connection to the player from their time together on the Carolina Panthers was a leading factor behind his switch in 2021 free agency, which has come with flashes of brilliance despite the lackluster production under center.
If the former second-round pick flourishes under Bieniemy, then expect his contract demands to also increase. This is a complication the Commanders could avoid by extending the wideout in the coming weeks and reworking his deal to provide immediate salary-cap flexibility.
According to Over the Cap, this course of action saves the Commanders $7.29 million in 2023, although much will depend on how the contract is worked. There are some durability issues where Samuel is concerned, but this might ensure they don’t end up paying more in the long run or perhaps prevent him from departing when the 2024 off-season arrives.
Commanders could restructure Jonathan Allen
- Cap saving – $8.94 million
The most obvious method of securing immediate salary-cap space has yet to be explored by the Washington Commanders. Stud defensive tackle Jonathan Allen isn’t going anywhere throughout the duration of his contract, so restructuring the deal given to their former first-round pick is something that brings clear benefits.
Allen remains an elite disruptive force on the defensive line interior. His partnership with Daron Payne was arguably the NFL’s best last season, which will continue in 2023 and beyond after the out-of-contract lineman got a bumper new deal from the Commanders earlier this year.
While there is now a lot of money tied up in Washington’s two defensive tackles, great teams find a way to make it work. Restructuring the Alabama product comes with a cap saving of $8.94 million in 2023, which could be put to good use at an important time for the organization.
Kicking the can down the road is becoming more prevalent around the league. The Commanders have $90.74 million in salary-cap space in 2024 with 34 players under contract, so moving Allen’s money around is an option well worth considering.
Players are normally on board with this – especially established ones key to the team’s success. They still get paid the same, it’s just a case of altering how that money is received throughout the campaign.
Either way, the Commanders have to do something. And quickly.