When Commanders coach Dan Quinn opened the floor for questions on Friday, John Keim was first and simply asked, “Why the decision to trade Jahan (Dotson)?”
“I think at the end, we’re always going to make decisions that are just rock solid and best for the team. This was one of those examples where we had an opportunity to do that. So that’s why we did it.”
Wow, it was “rock-solid and best for the team” that Dotson be given his ticket headed for elsewhere. Just a moment later, Quinn echoed this, “but certainly at the end, like I said, just really a matter of here’s an opportunity to go help the team, and thought that was the best way to go about it.”
The first-year Commanders head coach did not mention any of the particulars that Logan Paulsen has provided over the last week. Quinn also did not speak of the nature of Jahan Dotson’s competing in team drills or the two preseason games played thus far.
If you are looking for a few reasons why the Commanders traded Jahan Dotson…
- Dotson was too easily moved off of the timing and spacing of his routes in practices and the two preseason games.
- Dotson did not display urgency on the practice field or buy-in to the new coaching staff’s culture.
- Dotson, last year in his second season had some issues with dropping balls that were easily catchable.
- Peters and Quinn are looking for more physical, active, blocking wide receivers.
- As a first-round selection in the 2022 draft, Dotson’s salaries would have escalated these next three seasons. He is guaranteed $1,573,032 for this season (3rd). It naturally escalates to $2,757,048 in his fourth NFL season. The Commanders would then have been determining whether they were going to offer Dotson another sizeable raise involving the fifth-year option.
- The Commanders gained a top-100 pick in next year’s draft, as the Eagles are sending a third-round selection. Wide receiver classes continue to grow, as the college game is producing more receivers who can play right away. The Eagles will also send two seventh-round selections, which will have lower salaries for four seasons if they make the team’s roster.