Which Washington Commanders must rebound positively or risk being shown the door when the 2023 campaign officially arrives?
With the potential for new ownership, it’s easy to forget that the Washington Commanders formally begin their offseason workout activities tomorrow. This is the first step of what will hopefully be a smooth preparation period before the 2023 season.
Ron Rivera and his staff have been keen to avoid obvious distractions and focus fully on building a competitive roster. This has been hindered slightly by the ownership flux, but the pieces are there for progress providing the right prospects are acquired from the college ranks with eight selections at the team’s disposal.
The onus is also on those already on the roster to make improvements. Pressure will increase across the board once the sale gets league approval, so everything must go better than expected to avoid wholesale changes.
On this topic, here are three Commanders players that must rebound in a big way next season.
Player No. 1
Joey Slye – Commanders K
The life of an NFL kicker is turbulent at best. This has proved true for Joey Slye throughout his time in the league so far and unless big improvements arrive in 2023, the Washington Commanders will likely seek alternative options.
Slye is a long-term associate of Ron Rivera’s, which has got him this far despite some erratic performances since joining the Commanders. There doesn’t appear to be any competition for his place just yet, although the head coach would be wise to act quickly if he feels like Washington’s current kicker could jeopardize their chances of playoff football next time around.
Chase Young – Commanders DE
There are few players in the NFL with more on the line next season. Chase Young has quickly gone from a generational prospect to an injury-prone edge presence in danger of becoming one of the biggest draft busts in recent memory if things don’t improve.
That might sound a little harsh, but it’s the reality.
Young just hasn’t looked like the same dominant presence that took the field in 2020, with a constant stream of complications resulting in some obvious hesitancy. This is reflected in the player attaining just 1.5 sacks over the last two years.
He is working exceptionally hard this offseason in pursuit of silencing his doubters. If the defensive end can remain healthy throughout the preparation period, then this could be the springboard that ignites the former No. 2 overall selection to bigger things moving forward.
Regardless of whether the Washington Commanders pick up his fifth-year option or not, it shouldn’t change anything where Young is concerned. This is the campaign where he needs to emerge into the player everyone thought possible coming out of Ohio State – something that could give Jack Del Rio’s defense a different dynamic after missing so much football previously.
This situation must be managed carefully by the Commanders this offseason. Keeping Young fresh and managing his practice reps is a good place to start, but the stakes couldn’t be much higher for a player who once had the world at his feet.
Logan Thomas – Commanders TE
It would be a shock if Logan Thomas isn’t nervously looking over his shoulder this offseason. While the Washington Commanders have resisted the urge to bolster their tight end ranks as yet, the promise of further development from the likes of Armani Rogers and Cole Turner could demote the veteran unless he makes strides in his own right.
The Commanders also have the possibility of adding to the group via a deep draft class. Something that only increases the level of urgency surrounding Thomas in 2023.
Thomas looked like he could become highly productive once upon a time. The former quarterback transitioned well to the position, but it’s been a long time since his outstanding 2020 season where he gained 72 receptions for 670 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
The one-time Virginia Tech stud must return to this sort of form under Eric Bieniemy. Anything less would see his future with the Commanders in serious jeopardy given the salary-cap savings involved with his early release in 2024.
Considering how dependent Bieniemy and Andy Reid’s system with the Kansas City Chiefs was on tight end production, someone has to step up. Thomas could get the first chance given his experience, but he’ll need to hit the ground running in no uncertain terms.
If he gets outperformed by others currently around or a college prospect throughout camp, then a post-June 1 cut designation isn’t out of the realms of possibility. Simply put, what comes next is down to Thomas during a make or break campaign.