4 Commanders free agents who could be forced into retirement in 2024
By Dean Jones
Tyler Larsen
There seems to be a trend here. Players associated with Ron Rivera got reprieves when they perhaps weren't deserved. This loyalty was commendable, but it didn't do the Washington Commanders any good through four straight losing seasons under the recently fired head coach.
Tyler Larsen is another who fits into this category. The veteran center got another short-term deal and made the 53-man roster despite signing Nick Gates in free agency and spending a third-round selection on Ricky Stromberg. When the former New York Giant started the season poorly, Rivera quickly went back to somebody he trusted.
Things started well for Larsen during his first game. After that, it was a steady decline. When injury struck, the Commanders went back to Gates, which was a damning indictment of Stromberg's development more than anything else.
In total, Larsen played 466 snaps on offense, giving up three sacks en route to a less-than-stellar 50.3 grade from Pro Football Focus. It seems unlikely that the former undrafted free agent out of Utah State will get another contract from the Commanders' new regime. Whether another team comes calling is the big question.
Considering the free-agent options available and how strong this draft class is across the offensive line, Larsen's time in the NFL could be done.