Chris Paul - Commanders OL
- 2025 salary-cap savings: $1.1 million
- Dead cap money: $26,112
If the Philadelphia Eagles' dominant season en route to a convincing Super Bowl victory over the Kansas City City Chiefs taught us anything, it's the importance of building up the trenches.
Eagles' general manager Howie Roseman fortified the offensive and defensive lines. He molded his roster from the inside out. They overawed almost everybody to hoist the Vince Lombardi trophy.
Adam Peters should take note. The Washington Commanders were found wanting in these areas, especially during their NFC Championship defeat to the Eagles. Not having Sam Cosmi and Daron Payne available exposed their lack of depth. Expect the general manager to address this urgently throughout the offseason.
Cosmi is set to miss most if not all of the 2025 campaign after tearing his ACL in Washington's divisional-round success at the Detroit Lions. That raises the stakes to bolster the offensive line. Something that could keep Chris Paul on the fringes or off the roster entirely when push comes to shove.
Paul made the 53-man roster in 2024 but was a healthy scratch more often than not. If the Commanders find better alternatives in free agency or the draft, the former seventh-round pick will become surplus to requirements.
This isn't a cost-cutting measure. It's more a case of Paul not fitting into the team's plans when new acquisitions inevitably arrive.
Andrew Wylie - Commanders OT
- 2025 salary-cap savings: $7.75 million
- Dead cap money: $2.66 million
Chris Paul isn't the only one who could be on the outside looking in where the Commanders' offensive line is concerned. Adam Peters must also examine possibilities to enhance the edge options at his disposal to provide quarterback Jayden Daniels with the protection needed.
Third-round pick Brandon Coleman performed adequately as a rookie. The left tackle went through some inevitable growing pains, but speculation is rising about whether the former TCU standout should be switched to the interior. Time will tell on that, but it couldn't be completely dismissed right now.
There's also Andrew Wylie's situation to consider. That's a bit more complicated.
The veteran right tackle didn't give up a sack this season according to Pro Football Focus, but that doesn't tell the full story. His inconsistent performances in pass protection and inability to impact proceedings on running plays were a constant source of frustration. This leaves his future hanging in the balance heading into the final year of his contract.
Releasing Wylie saves the Commanders around $7.75 million on their 2025 salary cap. That's not exactly chump change, so it'll be interesting to see what Peters decides. But make no mistake, if the front-office leader can find a better option — perhaps for a little cheaper — he won't hesitate to pull the trigger.