Commanders owner Josh Harris on team’s facilities: ‘I’m not an F-minus guy’

Josh Harris talks about Washington’s poor grades from the NFLPA survey and the all of the work the team is doing.

When the NFLPA released its first report cards in 2023, the goal was to provide anonymous feedback from players on all 32 NFL teams. Some of the items graded in the report cards were team facilities, medical care, coaches and treatment of the players’ families.

The Washington Commanders didn’t grade well in the first or second year of the report cards. Whether it was outdated team headquarters in Ashburn, Va., the locker rooms or the training staff, the team scored poorly in many categories.

In some good news, Washington made a big jump in the ownership category this year, scoring a “B.”

Majority owner Josh Harris has pledged improvements of over $75 million to FedEx Field and the team’s facilities since taking over last July.

At the NFL owners meetings this week, Harris spoke with JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington about the report cards and was asked specifically about some of the Commanders’ grades. Harris offered a terrific answer.

“I’m not an F-minus guy,” Harris said, referring to some of the grades the team received. “I didn’t even know you could get an F-minus. Obviously, we’ve jumped all over that; first of all, that report is based on interviews that occurred right around the ownership change. It’s clearly something we’re focused on. In fact, (GM) Adam (Peters) and (head coach) Dan (Quinn) had to leave the NFL meetings briefly to go have a discussion with the architects. We’re trying to make a lot of changes there quickly. The NFL player community is a small community; the NFL coaching community is a small community. We want to be a place that everyone says, ‘That’s a great place to be.’ And therefore, we need to upgrade that facility, and we are upgrading that facility.”

Harris continued to discuss the topic, noting that there is only so much that can be done before training camp but the team is working on every aspect to make it a player-friendly environment.

Offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas, who re-signed with the team last week, told the media about the changes underway at Commanders Park, even noting the team was getting new carpet in the locker room.

It’s a good time for the Commanders. There is excitement with a new owner, GM and coach. Washington will soon have a new franchise quarterback as it’s expected to select one second overall in next month’s draft.

Commanders re-sign offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas

Cornelius Lucas is returning for his fifth season in Washington.

The Washington Commanders have finally signed an offensive tackle. According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Commanders are bringing back Cornelius Lucas on a one-year deal worth up to $4 million.

Lucas, who will turn 33 in July, is entering his 11th NFL season and fifth in Washington. Before signing with the Commanders in 2020, Lucas spent time with the Lions, Rams, Saints and Bears.

Since coming to Washington, Lucas has been a valuable addition. He has appeared in 62 games with 31 starts, making starts at both right and left tackle.

As of now, Lucas would be at the top of Washington’s depth chart at left tackle after the release of Charles Leno Jr. Andrew Wylie remains atop the depth chart at right tackle — for now. The Commanders are expected to address the offensive tackle position high in the 2024 NFL draft. The offensive tackle class is deep, and Washington could target at least two tackles with its nine picks.

6 pending free agents the Commanders need to re-sign

We look at six unrestricted free agents the Commanders should bring back in 2024.

In two weeks, the legal tampering period of the NFL offseason begins. NFL teams can negotiate contracts with impending free agents from other teams for two days, but nothing can be signed until the new league year opens two days later on March 13.

That gives all 32 NFL teams the next two weeks exclusivity in negotiating with their own free agents. The Washington Commanders have 28 free agents, 18 of which are unrestricted free agents.

The Commanders have a new general manager (Adam Peters) and a new coaching staff led by Dan Quinn. So, while other teams have been preparing for free agency, Washington’s new staff has been evaluating the current roster, including its free agents.

How many of the Commanders’ free agents should they retain in 2024?

We name six free agents Washington should re-sign. Not included are wide receiver Curtis Samuel and cornerback Kendall Fuller. It’s not that the Commanders wouldn’t love both players back, but Fuller is older, has some knee concerns, and has earned a raise. Washington can look to the draft to replace Samuel’s productivity for cheaper.

Here are those six free agents, for which we will focus only on the unrestricted free agents.

Ranking 2024’s top 12 free-agent offensive tackles

Are there any hog mollies worth keeping an eye on in free agency?

Will the Carolina Panthers be able to find the fabled offensive line depth this offseason?

Here are the top 12 free-agent offensive tackles of 2024:

Stay or go: Previewing Commanders’ top 11 2024 free agents

We look at 11 Washington free agents and determine whether they should stay or go in 2024.

Super Bowl LVIII is over, with the Kansas City Chiefs defeating the San Francisco 49ers. That means the offseason is upon us.

The offseason began for Washington five weeks ago after a Week 18 loss to the Dallas Cowboys handed them their eighth consecutive loss to finish the season with a 4-13 record.

Since then, Washington fired head coach Ron Rivera and hired general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn. And with the most salary cap space in the NFL and five of the top 100 picks in the 2024 NFL draft, including No. 2 overall, the Commanders have a chance to drastically improve next season.

But before Washington gets to free agency, it must decide on its 28 free agents. Some will remain, others will leave. Much of it will depend on the price.

We look at Washington’s top 11 free agents and determine if they should stay or go — and why.

Cornelius Lucas delivered in Commanders’ win over the Falcons

Cornelius Lucas didn’t allow one pressure in Sunday’s win over the Falcons.

When the Washington Commanders signed veteran offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas in 2020, no one believed he’d still be with the franchise in 2023, having started 28 games.

Yet Lucas, every time a starter goes down, moves into the starting lineup and delivers.

In Sunday’s win over the Atlanta Falcons, Lucas was summoned to replace veteran left tackle Charles Leno Jr. at the moment due to a family tragedy.

How did Lucas perform?

He was outstanding. According to Pro Football Focus, in 29 pass-blocking snaps, Lucas did now allow one pressure. Lucas earned the second-highest pass-blocking grade for Week 6.

When Leno returns to the lineup, Lucas will return to the bench. But should he? No, we aren’t suggesting Lucas replace Leno because he shouldn’t. However, there is a strong argument that Lucas should slide back into the starting lineup, replacing Andrew Wylie. Remember, Wylie can also play guard.

Wylie signed a three-year contract in the offseason. It’s doubtful he goes to the bench, but it’s fair to believe Lucas should be in the starting lineup. Overshadowed in 2020, all Lucas has done is save the Commanders every time they call his number.

 

Commanders place rookie OT Braeden Daniels on reserve/injured list

The move allows Washington to keep another offensive lineman who may be able to help in 2023.

The Washington Commanders placed rookie offensive tackle Braeden Daniels on the reserve/injured list Monday, one day ahead of the NFL deadline for teams to trim rosters from 90 to 53 players.

The move means that’s one less cut the Commanders will need to make on Tuesday. In addition to moving Daniels to the injured list, Washington also cut 12 players. As of Monday evening, the Commanders’ roster sits at 77 players, meaning they must cut 24 players ahead of Tuesday’s 4:00 p.m. ET deadline.

A fourth-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft, Daniels struggled this summer. An All-Pac-12 selection during his time at Utah, many believed the 6-foot-4, 294-pound Daniels would be better at guard in the NFL. However, the Commanders said he would begin his career at offensive tackle.

While some initially felt Daniels being moved to the reserve/injured list was curious, Matthew Paras of The Washington Times reported that he had suffered a torn rotator cuff. If that is indeed the injury, that would sideline for his entire rookie season.

The move allows the Commanders to add a veteran offensive tackle, either via another team’s cuts or someone already on the roster, such as Trent Scott. Charles Leno Jr., Andrew Wylie and Cornelius Lucas are roster locks for the Commanders.

You can count Cornelius Lucas among those impressed with Commanders QB Sam Howell

Lucas also says not to “sleep on the ‘Manders” in 2023.

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The Washington Commanders are all-in on quarterback Sam Howell for 2023 and perhaps beyond.

Shortly after Howell’s performance in the season finale against the Dallas Cowboys in January, word got out that the Commanders wouldn’t be in the market for another big-name veteran quarterback after the failed back-to-back additions of Ryan Fitzpatrick and Carson Wentz.

Part of it was Washington wanting to build around Howell on his rookie contract. New offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy was brought in to get the best out of Howell and take advantage of Washington’s impressive offensive arsenal.

Coaches and teammates have been impressed with Howell. Multiple teammates liked Howell’s progression in practice as a rookie when he was made the backup quarterback after Wentz’s injury. His start against Dallas led the Commanders to want to give him a shot.

Veteran offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas is the latest to go on record in support of the young quarterback.

“I was thoroughly impressed with this guy over OTAs,” Lucas said last week in an appearance on “Good Morning Football.”

“He took great command of the offense, showed great leadership, works really hard and the guy has a helluva arm. A true gunslinger. I’m excited to see how far he takes us and see where we go.”

What does Lucas think of the NFC East?

“Don’t sleep on the ‘Manders, baby,” he said. “We got all the players, all the coaches, we finally got our front office together and hopefully, once we sell the team, the leadership and the ownership will be just right.”

Lucas would also praise Bieniemy and what he has brought to the offensive side of the ball.

You can count Lucas as another Washington player in support of Howell under center in 2023.

A breakdown of new Commanders’ OT Trent Scott’s contract

Could new offensive tackle Trent Scott’s signing impact Cornelius Lucas?

The Washington Commanders brought in two offensive linemen immediately after the legal tampering period opened two weeks ago. The Commanders quickly agreed to terms with Nick Gates and Andrew Wylie.

Despite adding two players who are expected to start, Washington wasn’t done bringing in more depth to the offensive line. Last week, the Commanders signed 29-year-old offensive tackle Trent Scott to a two-year deal.

Scott entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2018 from Grambling State. He’s played for the Chargers, Panthers and spent last season with the Steelers. Scott has appeared in 61 career games with 20 starts.

Currently, Scott would be the fourth offensive tackle on Washington’s depth chart, with Charles Leno Jr. and Wylie as the starters and Cornelius Lucas as the swing tackle. It will not be surprising if Washington adds another offensive tackle relatively high in next month’s NFL draft.

Lucas has been with Washington since 2020 and has started a lot of games, specifically at right tackle. However, he struggled in extended action last season. He is set to count $4.35 million against the cap in 2023. Could Scott’s signing potentially impact his position on the roster?

Let’s take a closer look at Scott’s contract:

  • 2 years, $3.02 million
  • Guaranteed money: $655K
  • 2023 salary cap charge: $1.49 million
  • $15K per game active roster bonus
  • $500K annual playtime incentive

Much of this depends on who the Commanders draft next month. If Washington takes an offensive tackle in the first three rounds, don’t be surprised if it goes with the cheaper veteran option. While Scott is not guaranteed a roster spot, the Commanders saw enough to sign him for two years.

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What roster or cap moves might the Commanders make next?

The Commanders have plenty of options to create more cap space ahead of free agency.

Having released Carson Wentz and Bobby McCain, the Commanders have gained salary cap space. Whom might they release next?

The release of Wentz alone opened up over $26 million in salary cap space for 2023. The move to release McCain created $2.2 million in cap space.

There are likely a few more moves to come soon. The Commanders could release a few players. They could also be frank with some players who are making much more than they produced. The Commanders would have the leverage toward restructuring some contracts, opening up more cap space.

A likely candidate for restructuring is tight end Logan Thomas. Coming off of his ACL injury late in 2021, Thomas struggled in 2022. His 2023 cap number being $8,675,000, can’t be ignored. Some have speculated Thomas could even be released.

Other candidates for restructuring or possible release are left tackle Charles Leno ($12,500,000), 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).

Leno, Norwell and Lucas all struggled at times in 2022, decreasing the offensive line’s effectiveness in 2022 from the fine season the unit accomplished in 2021.

Roullier, unfortunately, suffered another major leg injury for the second consecutive season. He has been a very effective center in the past, but it could be the Commanders may not want to risk three consecutive years on Roullier or may work toward restructuring his deal.

McKissic, for the second consecutive season, injured his neck. The neck is never something to be taken as lightly as many other injuries. The Commanders may choose to use Samuel or Antonio Gibson more on third downs where McKissic was so effective in 2021.

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