Which Washington Commanders players cannot afford to get complacent during a crucial 2023 campaign for the organization?
Even though Dan Snyder threatened to make things more complicated than needed before walking away for good, the Washington Commanders will likely fall under new ownership with Josh Harris' group finally getting their $6.05 billion purchase approved by other NFL owners. A new era dawns for the team, but what that means for those currently around is another matter.
Nobody should be going into the upcoming campaign with any sort of security. This bears more significance for those in higher-up positions, although it seems as if Harris will give everyone a chance before making any franchise-altering changes.
With that in mind, here are four Commanders players that cannot afford to get complacent in 2023.
Logan Thomas - Commanders TE
Logan Thomas got a vote of confidence from the Washington Commanders this off-season. While many expected those in power to add another dynamic pass-catching tight end - especially after Armani Rogers tore his Achilles - they kept faith with the veteran in the hope he can return to something like his 2020 form.
There's been a lot to like about Thomas' production throughout early workouts. He's looked sharp and made some impressive catches, but that will count for nothing if he cannot do the same during camp and the regular season.
Complacency shouldn't become an issue for Thomas. If he cannot stay healthy or doesn't manage to produce the goods within Eric Bieniemy's tight-end friendly scheme, then this will be his final season in Washington.
Daron Payne - Commanders DT
Daron Payne was highly motivated to make the Washington Commanders pay - literally - for not having enough faith to trigger his fifth-year option before the 2022 campaign. While many believed it was the right decision after an indifferent first three years with the team, his monumental surge forward last season meant Ron Rivera was probably left with a sense of regret.
Payne was a dominating figure rushing from the interior. He became a constant menace for opposing quarterbacks, notching 11.5 sacks and earning a first Pro Bowl selection thanks to some exceptional progress.
This left the Commanders with no option other than to reward Payne as promised. The defensive tackle got a four-year, $90 million contract with $59 million guaranteed, which was probably used as a benchmark for the whopping extension Quinnen Williams recently received from the New York Jets.
One doesn't have to look far throughout NFL history to see how players can switch off and regress once they get paid. Having an added sense of financial security might dim the fire within somewhat, but that won't be the case with someone like Payne based on the encouraging progress he's displayed to date.
If the former first-round pick out of Alabama avoids any semblance of complacency and improves against the run, he'll thrive. Something that will give Washington the league's best defensive tackle tandem with Jonathan Allen.
Kamren Curl - Commanders S
Watching Kamren Curl emerge from a seventh-round afterthought into one of the league's brightest young safeties has been fantastic. His determination, willingness to sacrifice, and ability to take advantage of every opportunity should serve as inspiration for those lower down the draft pecking order looking to carve out their own path.
Curl's partnership on the backend with Darrick Forrest is flourishing and could take another step forward in 2023. Before then, there is chatter about the Arkansas product getting a bumper new contract once Josh Harris and his team of investors officially get their $6.05 billion purchase approved by NFL owners on July 20.
Ron Rivera has stated that everything is on hold until Harris' group takes charge. When everything gets rubber-stamped, extending Curl and giving him the money he deserves should be among the top priorities.
Regardless of what happens contractually with Curl, he cannot afford any complacency. He's gaining more notoriety around the league and especially across the national media, so building on this rather than basking in the glory represents the best course of action.
Curl's character should ensure he takes absolutely nothing for granted. Especially considering how hard he's worked to get here in the first place after every other team overlooked the hard-hitting defensive back before the draft.
Charles Leno Jr. - Commanders OT
It was no secret that the Washington Commanders were going to make big changes to their offensive line this spring. There was almost no consistency to go off last season to justify anything else, so anything less than a revamp would have been malpractice.
Thankfully, this was also recognized by those in positions of power. The Commanders have four new starters - whether that be those already around getting chances in different positions or fresh faces coming into the fold.
Despite speculation to the contrary, Charles Leno Jr. will be the team's starter at left tackle. He was the best of a bad bunch last season, so hopefully improving options around the veteran brings even more consistency.
Leno gave up eight sacks and conceded four penalties from 1,189 snaps en route to a 71.9 grade from Pro Football Focus, which was decent all things considered. There are questions about who'll play at left guard with Saahdiq Charles and Chris Paul fighting it out, so it'll be interesting to see how this particular dynamic shakes out when the pads go on at camp.
The former seventh-round selection out of Boise State is also a prominent leadership figure within the locker room. This will be equally as important as anything Leno produces on the field with Josh Harris' new ownership group watching every move intently.