Commanders News: Jabril Cox, Jack Del Rio, roster choices and Week 1 excitement

Commanders tough roster choices

It's probably a relief for Ron Rivera and his staff to get some brief time away after a difficult week. Roster cuts are never easy - especially for those who are unable to attain places on the practice squad - and there could be some additional moves to come looking at the depth chart position groups as they stand.

This came after weeks of intense evaluations and discussions before the Washington Commanders finalized their 53-man roster. Senior director of player personnel Eric Stokes elaborated on the process this week via Sports Illustrated and it's clear how strenuous the decisions were, even if there was a collaborative, consensus approach between those in positions of power.

"It's been a great process all the way around. It's been a collaborative process. It's been great working with coaching the staff. We had some really intense, healthy conversations as it pertains to the roster because you always first, you know, have to start internally before you start looking to the outside. You have to make those hard decisions as you get down to the 53. You're really always balancing, look, what do we have as it pertains to the roster and what do we have in terms of looking outside the roster. So, it's a tough mix. There's a lot of tough decisions that went into that, but no, it was a very smooth and fluid process."

- Eric Stokes via Sports Illustrated

The Commanders were never going to please everyone with their outcomes. But they feel like the right balance has been found heading into a 2023 campaign where many jobs are on the line.