Which Washington Commanders' news stories are making headlines as the team released an established veteran to boost salary-cap space?
Even though the Washington Commanders have plenty of tough decisions upcoming, there is renewed hope that hope can finally emerge with Dan Snyder out of the picture. And with team activities ramping up in the coming weeks, attention can mercifully focus on football once again.
Among the topics causing debate recently include the Commanders releasing Chase Roullier, a preferred new stadium site touted, Josh Harris landing another big fish for his ownership group, and Washington making a daring trade-up in a 2024 NFL mock draft.
Let's delve into each topic in more detail.
Story No. 1
Commanders cut Chase Roullier
After signing Nick Gates in free agency and drafting Ricky Stromberg in the third round, it almost seemed inevitable that Chase Roullier would be released. That moment happened on Friday afternoon.
Roullier emerged from sixth-round obscurity into a productive center for the Washington Commanders. He remains a high-level performer when healthy, but a series of unfortunate complications on the health front over the last two seasons meant the veteran could not be depended upon.
Cutting Roullier with a post-June 1 designation saves the Commanders $8.37 million according to Over the Cap. This is around the amount Washington needs to sign its 2023 draft class.
Commanders ownership group lands another big name
The big hits keep on coming for Josh Harris, whose ownership group looks set to purchase the Washington Commanders for $6.05 billion from Dan Snyder barring anything drastic occurring during discussions with the NFL.
Harris has experience with successful sports franchises and has assembled an all-star cast of wealthy figures as part of his bid. The latest, as revealed by Giles Turner and Heather Perlberg of Bloomberg, is former Google CEO Eric Schmidt.
Schmidt has a net worth of $18.1 billion according to Forbes. His business acumen is renowned, so he's another eye-catching addition to an ownership group with a far superior infrastructure than anything the Commanders experienced under Snyder's reign of terror.
There are reportedly 17 minority owners below Harris. Mitchell Rales and Magic Johnson have been prevalent throughout, but expect to hear more names in the days and weeks ahead before something becomes official.
When that will be is still undetermined. Much will depend on how conversations go with Snyder and the NFL, which is something that brings an obvious sense of dread given their deteriorating relationship over the last two years.
Commanders supporting D.C. bid for RFK Stadium
While there could be a bidding war for the new Washington Commanders stadium site once Josh Harris' ownership group takes charge, the franchise itself might have already laid out its preferred venue.
A return to RFK Stadium.
In a statement released to the Associated Press via NBC Washington, a Commanders' spokesperson stated they are supporting efforts for the District of Columbia to gain control of the site. Something that could start an exciting process that leads to a lavish new facility.
"(We are) sharing our vision for a potential venue that will create jobs and economic growth for the region and be compatible with the surrounding community and the elected leaders of the District."Commanders spokesperson via AP
The land is currently owned by the federal government, which leaves Congress as the primary stumbling block preventing a new stadium from being constructed on the site.
Should it fall into the hands of D.C. officials, it's a different story. And Harris has assembled enough respected influential businessmen within his group to potentially make this dream a reality.
Commanders trade up for Drake Maye in ESPN's 2024 mock
Sam Howell hasn't had the chance to take a competitive snap in 2023 yet, but speculation is already rife about what the Washington Commanders might do if the former fifth-round pick cannot make the most out of an outstanding opportunity.
The Commanders have placed a lot of faith in Howell this offseason. They signed veteran Jacoby Brissett as competition, but it would be a shock if the North Carolina product didn't get the first chance to shine under the expert guidance of Eric Bieniemy.
If it all goes wrong, Todd McShay of ESPN had the Commanders trading up for another Tar Heels' quarterback Drake Maye in his way-too-early 2024 NFL mock draft 1.0.
"(Drake) Maye is 6-foot-4, 220 pounds and has a massive arm. Not only did he throw 38 touchdown passes last season, but he also ran for seven scores and almost 700 yards. Washington might be comfortable with Sam Howell and Jacoby Brissett at the moment, but the former is a fifth-round pick with one career start, and the latter is a 30-year-old veteran backup on a one-year deal. I understand the Commanders passing on quarterback down the board at No. 16 in 2023, but if they have a chance to get someone like Maye next April, it could change things for the franchise. "Todd McShay, ESPN
Maye showed enough last season to suggest a productive NFL career could be in the offing. There's a lot of football to be played between now and then, but it cannot be ruled out entirely with a new ownership group coming into the fold.