Jonathan Allen and 4 Commanders cut candidates in 2025 at the bye week
By Dean Jones
Andrew Wylie - Commanders OT
- 2025 salary-cap savings: $7.75 million
- 2025 dead-cap figure: $2.66 million
The Washington Commanders offensive line has made great strides this season. Adam Peters' additions throughout the spring have paid off handsomely. Bobby Johnson coached them to be a cohesive unit quickly by implementing blocking concepts that suited their strengths.
That doesn't detract from the difficult situation facing Andrew Wylie this offseason. If there was a weak link, he's it. One only has to look at how well the protection performed in his absence against a stout Tennessee Titans defensive front to see that.
Wylie is solid enough. Even so, the Commanders shouldn't settle. If Peters can find a better long-term option via the draft, he'd be foolish not to consider the possibility. This makes the former Eastern Michigan star's situation precarious.
There are salary-cap benefits to releasing Wylie with one year remaining on his deal. The Commanders would save themselves $7.75 million by cutting the edge protector. If Washington wants to elevate into the top tier of NFL teams, they cannot afford to have any passengers on their journey.
Wylie's production has improved, but that's not enough to guarantee an extended stay.
Jeremy Reaves - Commanders S
- 2025 salary-cap savings: $2.64 million
- 2025 dead-cap figure: $750,000
This is a tricky one.
Jeremy Reaves is an exceptional special teams performer and a driving force within the locker room. It would be shocking to see the Commanders move on from the defensive back, but general manager Adam Peters isn't harboring any sentiment to his decision-making process whatsoever.
Reaves is one of the mainstays. He got an extension from the Commanders this offseason when most personnel from the Ron Rivera era didn't get a reprieve. His performances have been decent enough as a special teams ace. Unfortunately for the veteran, he's not featured much on the defensive rotation.
The former South Alabama standout counts $3.39 million against the salary cap in 2025. That's arguably a lot for someone who has one niche and nothing more. At the same time, Reaves would leave a gaping hole in the special teams' group if the Commanders went in a different direction.
Of all the names on this list, Reaves being cut would be the most surprising. But it couldn't be completely dismissed looking at Peters' business-first approach to the football operation.