Tag: chase roullier

Former Commanders center Chase Roullier recently visited the Cardinals

Roullier was released in May after injuries ruined his final two seasons in Washington.

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Could former Washington Commanders center Chase Roullier soon have a new home?

According to Matt Lombardo, Roullier visited the Arizona Cardinals Monday. The Commanders released Roullier in May after selecting former Arkansas center Ricky Stromberg in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft.

Once Washington signed Nick Gates to open free agency in March, Roullier’s time with the Commanders was essentially over. Roullier wasn’t released due to his play but because of injuries. The 2017 sixth-round pick appeared in 69 games for Washington, making 63 starts.

After signing a four-year extension in Jan. 2021, Roullier missed 24 of a possible 34 games for the Commanders in 2022 and 2023. Roullier fractured his fibula in a Week 8 loss at Denver in 2022. He returned ahead of the 2023 season, but on the final offensive play of a Week 2 loss at Detroit, Roullier injured his knee and was lost for the season.

Roullier is still just 29 years old and could give the Cardinals some stability in the middle of their offensive line. Before his injury in 2021, Roullier had only missed five games in his first four seasons.

Cardinals had former Commanders center Chase Roullier for visit

Roullier played in only two games last season for the Commanders but has 63 career starts at center.

The Arizona Cardinals might finally be adding an experienced center to the roster. According to Matt Lombardo, they had longtime Washington Commanders center Chase Roullier in for a visit on Monday.

Roullier has missed a lot of time with injuries the last two seasons. He played in only eight in 2021 and missed all but two last season. He apparently has recovered from the leg injury that ended his season.

In 150 snaps last season, he did not allow a sack and has allowed only one since 2020.

Roullier is 6-foot-4 and 312 pounds. He was drafted in the sixth round by Washington in 2017 and has started 63 of the 69 games in which he has appeared.

Cardinals passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach Drew Terrell would know Roullier, as was with the Commanders before joining Arizona’s staff.

The only player on the roster with any NFL games at center is Hjalte Froholdt, who started four games at center last season. They also have rookie Jon Gaines who played some in college, Hayden Howerton, who played center in college and Lecitus Smith, who practiced at center last year as a rookie.

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How much dead money are the Commanders carrying on the salary cap in 2023?

The Commanders have five players with dead cap hits in 2023.

The Washington Commanders currently have $11.5 million in available salary cap space — per Over the Cap — since the team designated Chase Roullier as a post-June 1 cut.

That gives the Commanders plenty of room to sign first-round pick Emmanuel Forbes and second-round pick Quan Martin while also perhaps adding another veteran on the offensive line or at linebacker. Washington has signed the remainder of its draft class.

The Commanders will also add more to their cap when they eventually release guard Andrew Norwell. While that’s not official, the team can’t cut Norwell now because he is injured.

A part of Washington’s cap space for 2023 is occupied by players no longer on the roster. In total, the Commanders are carrying over $23 million in dead money on the salary cap in 2023.

Here are those five players and their cap hits in 2023.

Chase Roullier is more than a former Washington Commander

Chase Roullier meant a lot to the DMV community for more than his work on the field.

The Commanders released one of my favorite players Friday.

Rather than waiting until June 1, the Commanders released center Chase Roullier now to give him more time to catch on with another NFL team.

The former Wyoming Cowboy quietly came to the Redskins virtually an unknown, not being drafted until selection No. 199 in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL draft.

It didn’t matter to Roullier that 198 players had been drafted ahead of him. None of this vocal barking about a chip on his shoulder. None of that silly talk of how the league messed up not drafting him earlier.

Roullier simply prepared for his opportunity and was ready when opportunity knocked. In college he had majored in engineering, so there was no time to waste. Get the work done, be prepared for the next class, and work hard in practice. Roullier had gone to college to actually earn his degree on time. Studying engineering there were many long days and nights.

While some NFL rookies are out spending money, dressing loudly, and talking loudly about what they are going to do and how they are going to succeed in the NFL, Roullier kept his mouth shut and let his play do his talking for him.

Midway through his rookie 2017 season, starting center Spencer Long was injured. Roullier had worked hard in preparation and was ready when baptized by fire. He started seven games and kept the job.

Roullier then displayed more progress, growth and maturity, starting 16, 14 and 16 games in his next three seasons, earning a contract extension.

Others on the line had bigger names, bigger contracts, but Roullier had been the most reliable and effective offensive lineman for Washington from 2018-2020.

Then a broken leg in a 2021 game at Denver ended his season. Last season, in only the second game of 2022, Roullier again went down with another season-ending leg injury.

So today is a reminder again that the NFL is first a business.

Most likely there will be no statement from Roullier. He won’t be on Twitter whining about how he is the victim. He won’t be crying, making excuses about why he was released today.

Chase Roullier, not a needy guy looking for the fan base to tell him how wonderful he is. No, he is secure enough to look out for others less fortunate than himself and see how he can be used to serve them. Consequently he has been a supporter of the Hogfarmer’s Charitable Foundation.

I will miss Chase Roullier being a member of my favorite NFL team. I wish him nothing but the best.

Commanders release center Chase Roullier

Washington designates Roullier’s release as a post-June 1 cut.

The Washington Commanders released veteran center Chase Roullier Friday with a post-June 1 designation, saving $8.37 million, per Ben Standig of The Athletic.

The move also carries a $4.05 million dead cap for 2023. Roullier signed a four-year, $40.5 million extension in Jan. 2021 but unfortunately had each of his last two seasons cut short due to significant injuries.

In Week 8 of the 2021 season at Denver, Roullier fractured his fibula and was lost for the remainder of the season. He returned last summer completely healthy ahead of the 2022 season and resumed his role as Washington’s starting center.

However, toward the end of Washington’s Week 2 loss at Detroit, Roullier injured his knee and was again lost for the season. With Roullier injured, the Commanders shuffled through at least four centers in each of the last two seasons and made building depth at the position a priority this offseason. Washington signed Nick Gates from the New York Giants to a three-year deal in March and selected Arkansas center Ricky Stromberg in the third round of last week’s NFL draft.

Roullier was a sixth-round selection from Wyoming in the 2017 NFL draft. It didn’t take long for him to enter the starting lineup. He played in 13 games as a rookie, making seven starts. Over the next three seasons, Roullier missed just two games, starting 46 out of a possible 48 games at center. He was the first Washington veteran to earn an extension under head coach Ron Rivera.

Roullier, 29, is healthy and should be able to land with another team. He is a popular player in Washington for not only his play but his efforts off the field. Roullier actively supported the Hogfarmers Charitable Foundation, a non-profit in the DMV supporting families impacted by pediatric cancer.

 

3 veterans who could lose their jobs to rookies

Could Washington move on from some key veterans after the draft?

The 2023 NFL draft saw the Washington Commanders add seven new players. When you add new players, you sometimes need to make room on your roster for the new players or free up extra money to fit the rookie class under the salary cap.

Sometimes, the draft can force teams to move on from popular veteran players.

The Commanders face a similar situation after last weekend’s draft. Two Washington rookies are expected to start for the Commanders in 2023, including first-round cornerback Emmanuel Forbes.

Here are three Washington veterans who could be in jeopardy after the draft.

Instant analysis of Commanders picking Ricky Stromberg in the third round

What does he add to the team? Was he the right pick?

Washington fans wanted the Commanders to take an offensive lineman in the 2023 NFL draft. Some fans would’ve been OK with Washington selecting multiple offensive linemen in an effort to improve one of the NFL’s worst offensive lines.

After picking defensive backs with their first two picks, the Commanders were back on the board at No. 97 overall, one of the final picks of the third round.

What did Washington do?

The Commanders selected Arkansas center Ricky Stromberg, a first-team All-SEC selection in 2022. The 6-foot-3, 306-pounder won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the SEC’s top offensive lineman.

Stromberg joins a crowded position in Washington. The Commanders signed Nick Gates to a three-year deal. Gates can play center or guard but said he expected to play center for Washington. Longtime starter Chase Roullier, who is coming off back-to-back major injuries and has a high cap number, remains on the roster. Finally, there is reliable veteran backup Tyler Larsen.

Stromberg can also play guard.

Here is Lance Zierlein of NFL.com’s scouting report on Stromberg:

Center prospect with enough athleticism and strength to be considered scheme independent. Early impressions could leave evaluators unimpressed with his lack of control at times; however, his process and results should quickly grow on them. Stromberg generates decent movement at the point of attack and is well-schooled with landmarks as a zone blocker. His waist-bending causes inconsistencies with his mirror and recoveries in protection. He has an innate feel for angles and positioning that leads to some unexpected block wins. Stromberg has a chance to become a starting center with the flexibility to play guard if needed.
If Stromberg emerges as Washington’s starting center, Gates could play left guard.

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Ron Rivera very comfortable with Commanders offensive line

It also sounds like Washington’s next offensive line coach is already in the building.

Ron Rivera feels much better about his offensive line now.

The Commanders went out aggressively during the first week of free agency addressing their offensive line woes. As a result they made two quick additions, signing G/T Andrew Wylie and G/C Nick Gates.

Rivera, speaking with the local media at the owners meeting, Tuesday expressed, “I feel very comfortable with it, I really do. We made a concerted effort during free agency to go out and fortify the line. Add some depth to the line. Add some competition. We have some guys that are also position flex guys so it’ll give us an opportunity to see the best places to have these guys and integrate them with the guys that are currently on the roster.”

There are still young players who have yet to prove themselves. Apparently the plan is for two of them to compete at left guard. Rivera explained, “Our left guard will truly be a competition in terms of watching Saahdiq [Charles] and Chris Paul compete for that. I think both of those guys are young guys that have to play. Saahdiq is an explosive guy, very powerful. You watch Chris Paul in practice and the tape from some of the snaps he had in the Dallas game for sure, you see his play strength and his athleticism.”

There has been much speculation that both starting guards from last year Trai Turner and Andrew Norwell would not return. However, Rivera says that is not the case. “Andrew is going to be there as we go through the process and finish up all of our evaluations. We have to get through the draft as well.”

The Commanders also re-signed center Tyler Larsen and still have Chase Roullier. Rouiller was solid and dependable through the 2020 season. Unfortunately his last two seasons, he suffered bad injuries.

Who will be the next offensive line coach, replacing long-time veteran coach John Matsko?

“Well, we haven’t had an opportunity to finish the announcements and everything with everything that is going on. We will take care of that first opportunity very quickly, but we have a guy that is on staff, and we feel very comfortable with him.”

Travelle Wharton has been the assistant offensive line coach, even assisting Matsko back in Carolina as well. He played with the Panthers (2004-2013) starting 111 of the 115 games he played.

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Commanders’ decision on center Chase Roullier could come soon

It sounds like we may have clarity regarding Chase Roullier’s future soon.

Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera quickly identified center Chase Roullier as one of the building blocks by signing him to a four-year extension in Jan. 2021.

Washington’s offensive line would be built around Roullier, the reliable center who was a sixth-round pick in 2017.

Unfortunately, no one could envision how the next two years would unfold for Roullier. After missing just five games in his first four seasons, Roullier fractured his fibula in a Week 8 loss to Denver in 2021, forcing him to miss the remainder of the season.

Roullier returned last summer, ready to put that devastating injury behind him. Sadly, on Washington’s final offensive play in a Week 2 loss at Detroit, Roullier injured his knee and again was lost for the season.

Roullier, a respected team leader, has now missed 24 games in the last two seasons. With Washington cycling through at least four centers over the previous two seasons, the Commanders struck early in free agency, signing former New York Giant Nick Gates to a three-year deal. Washington also re-signed veteran Tyler Larsen.

Roullier remains under contract but will count $12.4 million against the salary cap in 2023. He won’t remain in Washington under that number, but the Commanders would clearly like Roullier back.

Commanders general manager Martin Mayhew discussed Roullier Monday at the NFL owners meetings.

“I can’t really speak to that right now,” Mayhew said of Roullier, courtesy of Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post. “We’ve talked with Chase; he’s on our roster. We’ll kind of see where it goes. But what we did in free agency, I think, gives us flexibility. You’re talking about Nick Gates. He’s the guy who’s played all three interior positions, and he played right tackle.”

Mayhew didn’t necessarily say he wanted Roullier back. But perhaps it’s part of the negotiation process, hoping he’ll agree to a pay cut and return.

There was perhaps a reason why Mayhew appeared noncommittal. Jhabvala notes a source indicated to her that Roullier was expected to have an MRI on his knee Tuesday. That could clear up Washington’s decision, one way or another, regarding Roullier’s future with the team.

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It sounds like Nick Gates will be the Commanders’ center in 2023

Nick Gates expects to begin his Washington career at center.

Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera loves “position flex.” How often have we heard Rivera praise a player with position flex over the last three years?

So, with multiple holes along the offensive line, it was no surprise that Rivera and the Commanders targeted offensive linemen who could play multiple positions.

Former New York Giant Nick Gates agreed to a three-year deal with Washington. Gates had spent most of his time in New York playing guard and center. With the Commanders needing help at all three spots, where did coaches see Gates in 2023?

Gates met with the media Thursday after signing his contract and was asked about his role. It sounds like he’ll be Washington’s center, or at least competing for the position next season.

“I think center, where I will be taking most of the reps, I assume,” Gates said. Center/guard, that’s where I play usually. I definitely felt more comfortable at center; I feel like it’s my natural position.”

Why is Gates more comfortable at center?

“I just like being in control of everything, making calls and telling everybody what to do,” he said. “It holds me accountable because you got to know everything.”

In some news that will make quarterback Sam Howell smile:

“I think I can help the young quarterback out, be there to protect him and let him know nothing is going to happen.”

With Gates expected to begin at center, it begs the question: What happens with Chase Roullier? Tyler Larsen and Gates are under contract for 2023. Roullier is, too, but with a cap hit of $12.4 million. The Commanders love Roullier, but you must consider he missed half of the 2021 season with a leg injury and almost all of the 2022 season with another leg injury. If Roullier is back, it’s likely under a different cap number.

A returning Roullier would also ensure that Washington is much better prepared at center in 2023 with Gates, Roullier and Larsen on the roster.

Gates’ versatility gives the Commanders options.

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