Tag: Commanders GM Martin Mayhew

Will the Commanders join NFL clubs who were making moves Friday?

Friday was a busy day around the NFL. The Commanders were quiet, but that could change soon.

Wow! Friday was moving day in the NFL!

Teams were busy this week, and today made moves restructuring contracts to open up additional cap space in 2023.

Just when we thought the deals were concluded Friday, came the breaking news that the Panthers had traded their first-round choices in 2023 and 2024, second-round choices in 2023 and 2025 and receiver DJ Moore to the Bears for the top overall choice in Apri’s draft. Why did the Panthers give up all of that to move up only eight spots in a draft where there is clearly not a sure first pick overall?

Before considering the Commanders’ moves, look at the moves across the league, Friday. The Vikings releasing WR Adam Thielen after a decade in purple, will save $6.417 million on the cap.

The Bucs restructured the contracts of Vita Vea, Carlton Davis, Ryan Jensen and Chris Godwin to create $44 million in 2023 cap space.

The Eagles re-signed Brandon Graham to a one-year deal.

The Dolphins made a big decision, picking up  Tua Tagovailoa’s fifth year option.

The Broncos released guard Graham Glasgow freeing up $11M in cap space.

The Texans signed veteran wide receiver Robert Woods.

The Cardinals released Edge/LB Markus Golden, though he did accomplish 11 quarterback sacks a year ago.

Then there is the Commanders, as they …

No, there is no need to be harsh and call them names as some will. It could be that their moves are coming in the next day or so. Let’s give them the benefit of the doubt before we enter into panic mode.

In the next few days be on the lookout as the Commanders may release a few players or restructure contracts on such players as tight end Logan Thomas (cap number $8,675,000), left tackle Charles Leno ($12,500,000), center Chase Roullier ($12,420,000), left guard Andrew Norwell ($5,080,000), offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas ($4,350,000 and running back J.D. McKissic ($3,230,000).

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Derek Carr to the Saints: What does that mean for the Commanders?

Could the Saints’ signing of Carr have an impact on the Commanders?

What does it mean for the Washington Commanders that the New Orleans Saints have agreed on a four-year contract with Derek Carr?

Carr, the former Raiders starting quarterback going to the Saints means the Saints will most definitely make a roster move at quarterback.

Last week, both Martin Mayhew and Ron Rivera, while saying Sam Howell is indeed Washington’s QB1, but can’t yet be simply given the starting job, made it clear they will be looking for a quarterback.

They have said competition is essential and frankly, shouldn’t we be in agreement with them on this one? Competition is essential. I’d love for Howell who lasted until round 5 (144 overall) to develop into a great franchise quarterback for Washington.

But for now, in 2023, Sam Howell needs to face actual competition through the OTAs, minicamps, training camp and preseason games, and may the best man win the starting job.

The Saints QB1 going into the 2021 season was Jameis Winston. However, he suffered an ACL injury in 2021 limiting him to a seven-game season. Then again in 2022, Winston was limited to a mere three games due to some cracked vertebrates and a torn ankle tendon.

Winston’s cap number for the upcoming 2023 season is scheduled to be $15,600,000. Yet, the Saints signed Derek Carr Monday. Winston is going to be released.

If the Saints release Winston prior to June 1, he would be an $11,200,000 cap hit for 2023. If he is released after June 1, he will only be a $2,800,000 dead cap hit for 2023.

With his injuries over the last two seasons, one could rightly ask, “Is Winston damaged goods?” Perhaps he is; I don’t really know for certain how he is doing physically. On the other side of the coin, Winston’s value is trending downward. Washington may be able to sign him to compete for the QB1 role for the Commanders.

Winston did pass for 5,000 yards for the Bucs in 2019. There is no questioning his arm or ability to go deep. Remember, Eric Bieniemy has been promised more input as the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator. Might Bieniemy like to give a look at Jameis Winston?

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Martin Mayhew looking forward to working with Eric Bieniemy

Martin Mayhew talks about his longstanding relationship with Eric Bieniemy.

Martin Mayhew is not attempting to be an isolated super hero when it comes to the upcoming NFL draft or free agency cycle.

Speaking with the media during the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Mayhew realizes the need to draft players that can best fit into the system the Commanders coordinators Eric Bieniemy (offense) and Jack Del Rio (defense) are going to be installing.

“We’re still working through that process with Eric,” Mayhew said. “He’s only been there for a couple days…So we’re still evolving with that process with him and trying to figure out exactly what he’s going to be looking for at different positions. We have some thoughts, obviously, but we’re going to blend all that and we’ll get into free agency and get into the draft and start getting input from him and we’ll make some of those decisions down the road.”

Mayhew was not shy to point out he will not only give an ear to Bieniemy but the entire coaching staff.

“Our coaches do a great job evaluating players,” the GM said. “That’s one thing I think that [Head] Coach [Ron] Rivera’s done a really good job of putting the staff together of guys that know what they’re looking at. So we lean on those guys a lot. Eric will be very involved in the process.”

Mayhew and Bieniemy have actually known each other for decades, and Mayhew is counting on that to help in their working relationship as well.

“Eric and I go way back,” Mayhew said. “We’ve got probably a hundred thousand or so friends in common. He’s a fraternity brother of mine, Omega Psi Phi. So, when I interviewed him, I was just trying not to piss him off, you know, but we’re so glad to have him. It is a guy that’s been in three of the last four Super Bowls. Had the number-one offense in the league last year in terms of scoring. Just as an offensive coordinator has accomplished a lot, and our guys are really excited about it too. Our team is excited about it. The whole building is excited to have him join us.”

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Commanders GM Martin Mayhew impressed with Sam Howell

The general manager believes Sam Howell has everything it takes.

What is best for an NFL rookie quarterback? Should he play right away or sit the first season(s)?

That was one of the areas Washington Commanders General Manager Martin Mayhew was asked by members of the press Wednesday at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine.

“I think that it’s a tremendous value,” Mayhew said. “I don’t think it’s any coincidence that [Green Bay Packers QB] Aaron Rodgers and [Kansas City Chiefs QB] Pat Mahomes are two of the best quarterbacks in the league, and they had the benefit of being able to sit behind a quality quarterback, sit and learn for some period of time.

I’m obviously not saying that Sam (Howell) is those guys right now, but I’m saying that I think that there’s a lot of benefit to coming in without that immediate pressure every single week to learn a different game plan, to play against a different team, to play a longer season than you ever played in your whole life with grown men and different schemes that you’re seeing you haven’t seen before. I think that’s one of the things as a league where we really have failed is in developing quarterbacks. And the reason for that, I believe, is because the bad teams get to pick first. They pick a very talented quarterback. Sometimes their team is not that talented then they have that immediate pressure to put that player on the field and so many guys have failed for that reason. So, I think it’s going to help Sam a lot.”

Howell did have the benefit of not experiencing the weekly pressure and was able to sit behind two veterans who, from a distance, appear to be great teammates. Howell certainly spoke favorably regarding the type of teammates and friends Taylor Heinicke and Carson Wentz were to him during the season.

Howell watched the first 16 games and saw action only in the season finale, a 26-6 win over NFC East rival, Dallas, played at FedEx Field. Yes, it was an extremely small sample size. Though he certainly had one badly forced pass resulting in an interception, Howell did exhibit a poise, several times, extending plays and displaying an awareness of when to slide as well when running the ball. Here is every pass and run by Howell in the season finale.

Yet, Mayhew was honest, saying they will look closely at the quarterbacks during the Combine and also look into free agency in possibly signing one. However, he did explicitly reference positively how he views Sam Howell.

“Sam will have every opportunity to win that starting job,” Mayhew said of his young quarterback. “I was very impressed with the way that he played and practiced last year. Obviously very small sample, he only played in one game, but we got to see him the whole offseason. We gotta see him all through training camp, every week in practice. He has the skills that it takes to be a starter in this league, in my opinion.”

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