4 post-June 1 cuts the Washington Commanders must consider in 2023
By Dean Jones
Which Washington Commanders players could become prime candidates for post-June 1 cuts as the franchise looks to ease its salary-cap burden in 2023?
Releasing Chase Roullier with a post-June 1 designation was a good start and provides enough spare resources for the Washington Commanders to sign their 2023 NFL Draft class. However, those in power would be wise to explore other avenues to improve financial flexibility heading into the new campaign.
Ron Rivera has done well with extremely limited resources this offseason. Having the ownership in flux hasn't made future cash readily available and given the team's desperate need to re-sign defensive tackle Daron Payne, there was always going to be some form of cost-cutting elsewhere.
Things should be more fruitful for the Commanders once the group led by Josh Harris officially assumes control of the franchise later this summer. That might not help Rivera, who'll be on the hottest seat imaginable once the sale gets rubber-stamped.
It'll be interesting to see how things unfold. But here are four post-June 1 cuts the Commanders must consider in 2023.
Cornelius Lucas - Commanders OT
- Cap saving - $3.45 million
This would be the most unlikely of the four, one suspects. Cornelius Lucas is seen as a decent swing tackle option for the Washington Commanders who can step in at a moment's notice and provide some semblance of consistency.
The Commanders are unlikely to start Lucas given the presence of Charles Leno Jr. and free-agent signing Andrew Wylie. But if others such as Braeden Daniels and Jaryd Jones-Smith show enough, a situation could emerge where the former Kansas State star might be surplus to requirements.
Lucas should still make the team. And there are more lucrative ways the Commanders can ease their salary-cap commitments all things considered.