We are now in the summer break period of the offseason and every Washington Commanders fan is eagerly awaiting further concrete information about the NFL's upcoming vote to approve the team's sale. This will be a landmark occasion in franchise history and something that's been a long time coming.
The speculation, headlines, and everything in between continues to flow regardless. Among the stories causing conversation recently include Kamren Curl's debut in a prestigious list, a bold prediction that sees Chase Young traded, Ron Rivera on the hot seat, and the Commanders taking a formidable offensive tackle in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Let's delve into each topic in more detail.
Commanders S Kamren Curl debuts in top-100
While nobody was all that shocked to see wide receiver Terry McLaurin feature in CBS Sports' top-100 list, the presence of Kamren Curl came as something of a surprise at No. 86. But according to writer Pete Prisco, anybody not paying attention to the gifted young defensive back should be.
"Who? Pay attention. This kid has developed into one of the best young safeties in the game. He's good in both the run and against the pass."Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
Curl can take plenty of heart from this, even if it is only one person's opinion. It might also add some extra dollars to his demands when the time comes to begin contract negotiations once new ownership gets the green light.
The former seventh-round selection out of Arkansas is a true rags-to-riches story. One that could make Curl a rich man with any further growth during the 2023 campaign.
Commanders select OT in 2024 mock draft
It's not just the NFL season quickly approaching. Preparations for the upcoming college football campaign are also gathering pace, which promises to see hundreds of prospects come to the fore in pursuit of securing opportunities at the next level.
There's so much football to be played that it's hard to gauge just what needs will be and which teams will be picking. The Washington Commanders have more at stake than most with new owners coming into the fold, with landmark changes almost guaranteed to arrive without major progress in 2023.
A recent 2024 NFL Draft mock from Tankathon saw the Commanders picking at No.6 overall. But instead of taking a quarterback, they opted to mock Notre Dame's mammoth offensive tackle Joe Alt instead.
Alt comes with a rich footballing heritage and could be a star in a position of need. However, as Bryan Manning of USA Today Sports stated, it would be a big shock if the Commanders didn't identify a young signal-caller considering where they are picking and the presence of Josh Harris' group.
"Olu Fashanu of Penn State is widely expected to be the top offensive tackle in the 2024 NFL draft. However, in this mock draft, Fashanu is already gone. Alt would be an excellent consolation prize for Washington. The unfortunate aspect of this mock draft is the Commanders are picking at No. 6. If Washington ends the season bad enough to pick at No. 6, don’t be surprised if the Commanders, under a new owner, make a bold move for a young quarterback."Bryan Manning, USA Today Sports
We are a long, long way out from the pre-draft process. And the Commanders could look completely different when the big weekend arrives.
Bold prediction sees Commanders trade Chase Young
Chase Young is a special talent when healthy. But the Washington Commanders weren't willing to bet on the player's health becoming more stable after declining his fifth-year option.
This brought and continues to bring speculation about the player's future. Paying Young and Montez Sweat appears unlikely, although there are always ways to manipulate the salary cap if this is something those in power want to accomplish.
That hasn't stopped rumors from swirling. Another came from Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports, who projected the Detroit Lions to acquire Young via trade as one of his five recent bold predictions.
"Washington declined to pick up Young's fifth-year option earlier this offseason, possibly spelling the end of his tenure with the franchise. When healthy, Young is arguably a generational talent and showed during his rookie season that he can be a game-wrecker. That said, injuries have proven to be a major speed bump in his career to this point, which allows the Lions to swoop in and buy low on someone who could help catapult the defense to another level if everything works out. Young would be an ideal pass rusher to place opposite Aidan Hutchinson."Tyler Sullivan, CBS Sports
Again, the Commanders haven't confirmed a willingness to remove Young from the equation. The former No. 2 overall selection has a chip on his shoulder and wants to start proving doubters wrong, which could benefit Ron Rivera ahead of a critical Year 4 for the head coach.
Commanders HC Ron Rivera omitted from hot seat list
It doesn't take a genius to figure out that the pressure is going to increase on head coach Ron Rivera before the 2023 season. This isn't just down to some subpar results since taking over in 2020, but it also has a lot to do with the pending ownership change that will see Josh Harris and his group of investors assume control of the franchise.
We are a little late in the day to start ringing changes right now. This might alter if things don't start well next season, but Rivera is also keen to sit down and discuss a potentially shared vision between all parties.
The term hot seat has been closely associated with Rivera heading into Year 4 of his tenure. However, this was not a notion seconded by Sam Monson from Pro Football Focus, who omitted his name from his top-five head coaches facing job-defining campaigns in 2023.
This was a surprise, to put it mildly. One could argue that Rivera's seat becomes the hottest in football once the sale gets formal approval, so to be off the top five completely seems bizarre.
Monson's choices were Mike McCarthy, Brandon Staley, Kevin Stefanski, Todd Bowles, and Josh McDaniels. All have some pretty big questions to answer, but none face the prospect of impressing new owners who have no emotional attachment to them whatsoever.
That is the predicament facing Rivera. How he responds could be franchise-altering for the Commanders.