4 big offseason gambles that could pay off for Commanders in 2023
By Dean Jones
Which big offseason gambles could pay off for the Washington Commanders during a critical 2023 campaign for the organization?
It’s been a quiet offseason in many respects for the Washington Commanders. Of course, the ongoing sale talks are taking center stage, but in terms of big splashes and high-profile arrivals, they’ve been few and far between as Ron Rivera continues with his methodical approach to building a contender.
This project could be taken out of his hands if a new owner decides to go in a different direction. There’s nothing he can do about that, so focusing on the task and worrying about the rest later is something that the head coach would be wise to do as preparations for the 2023 campaign ramp up in the coming weeks.
Rivera knows how this works, or at least he should after experiencing the same situation with the Carolina Panthers when David Tepper bought the franchise from Jerry Richardson. But if some of the bolder moves made in recent weeks come off, he has half a chance of seeing his vision out.
With this in mind, here are four big off-season gambles that could pay off for the Commanders in 2023.
Offseason Gamble No. 1
Commanders gambled on Cameron Dantzler Sr.
When the Minnesota Vikings made Cameron Dantzler Sr. surplus to requirements, it raised more than a few eyebrows around the league. The cornerback’s body of work over his three seasons overall is decent, so it was surprising to see him cut loose after one indifferent campaign.
The Washington Commanders snapped Dantzler up quickly off the waiver wire. It’s a risk based on his 2022 performance levels, but the former Mississippi State standout has every chance of bouncing back with extra motivation in a contract year.