5 bold moves Commanders made during the 2024 offseason

Commanders released Charles Leno Jr. without having an obvious replacement

Perhaps the single boldest thing the Washington Commanders have done since Josh Harris assumed ownership was trading away the defensive end duo of Montez Sweat and Chase Young before the 2023 deadline. But at least when they made those moves, it was in the middle of a lost season.

There was plenty of time to figure out how to replace them. Indeed, the Commanders added three veteran edge players and drafted another this offseason. That should help fill the void left by two former first-round selections - one of which became a dependable contributor.

When Peters released starting left tackle Charles Leno Jr., it seemed as though he would look for a replacement through free agency or the 2024 NFL Draft. He will turn 33 years old this season and his play has diminished a bit of late. Still, he was a reliable player on the blindside and might be missed if someone else doesn't step up.

The bold move wasn’t necessarily releasing Leno. It was releasing the respected locker room leader with no apparent plan for replacing him.

Peters did not pursue a left tackle in free agency. There were no great options. He did not draft one until taking Brandon Coleman in the third round at No. 67 overall.

There is some concern over whether Coleman will be ready to play left tackle during his rookie season. There are still potential plug-and-play veterans available as free agents, but all come with risks.

If they remain available this far into the offseason, they are typically coming off a serious injury. This is the case with David Bakhtiari, who might be ready at some stage during the 2024 campaign and is a genuine option worth considering.

Cornelius Lucas and Trent Scott are journeyman veterans who may end up playing a lot of snaps for the Commanders in 2024 if they do not find another solution. That shouldn't fill anyone with legitimate optimism.