The Washington Commanders have had a few veteran players retire from the league this summer. Recently acquired defensive lineman D.J. Davidson was the latest, but general manager Adam Peters did not immediately replace the free-agent signing.
That's now changed.
According to independent Commanders insider Ben Standig, which was later confirmed by other beat writers, Washington is signing interior lineman Byron Cowart after a successful tryout.
Commanders give Byron Cowart one more chance to galvanize his NFL fortunes
The 2019 fifth-round selection hasn't been seen on an NFL field since the 2024 campaign after spending most of last season on the shelf with an ankle complication. Even so, those in power were obviously impressed enough to believe Cowart could offer something with a smooth transition.
There will be some familiar faces waiting for Cowart in Washington. Tight end Chig Okonkwo and defensive back Qwuantrezz Knight were on the same Maryland Terrapins team as the lineman, which is only going to help him get comfortable quickly.
Cowart might be nothing more than a camp body when it's all said and done. This is probably his last chance saloon in a bid to make an NFL roster, but there could also be an opening to force his way up the depth chart if he hits the ground running.
The Commanders are moving forward with a 3-4 base front under new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones. Daron Payne, Javon Kinlaw, and free-agent signing Tim Settle Jr. are seemingly locked into the starting spots. Washington is also expecting more from Johnny Newton in Year 3 of his professional career, who flashes as a pass-rusher but must become stronger against the run to warrant more involvement.
After that, depth is a little sketchy.
Commanders' defensive line depth concerns give Byron Cowart a shot
Charles Omenihu and Deatrich Wise Jr. (when healthy) could operate as 3-4 ends or as outside linebackers in Jones' system. Shy Tuttle has experience at the nose, but his career trajectory in recent years doesn't exactly scream stability.
At 6-foot-3 and more than 300 pounds, Cowart has the size to possibly occupy the nose tackle position. He was cast aside before Washington came calling, but his 26 tackles and 2.5 sacks with the Chicago Bears in 2024 indicate he is not without some talent.
It's added competition, at the very least. That was Peters' biggest objective over the offseason, and the Commanders are seemingly in a much better place in terms of overall quality and depth across the board.
After how things unfolded with a disastrous run of injuries last season, this was an imperative task to tick off the to-do list.
Davidson probably saw his situation for what it was and opted to call time on his career at just 26. Cowart has no such intentions, and it'll be interesting to see if he can get noticed enough to provoke a conversation before final cuts are due.
It's a long shot, of course. But stranger things have happened.
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