Tag: Kam Curl

Adam Peters said the Commanders have a ‘few cornerstone pieces.’ Who are they?

Adam Peters said the Commanders had a few cornerstone players. Who are they?

“I believe there’s a few cornerstone pieces in this roster. I believe we have a lot of work to do.”

That is how new Commanders GM Adam Peters replied when asked what he thought of the current roster.

So, who does Peters feel are the “few cornerstone pieces”?

On offense, it would have been great if Sam Howell had developed enough this past season, but that did not occur, as Howell led the NFL in sacks taken and interceptions thrown.

Brian Robinson accumulated 733 rushing yards and 368 receiving yards totaling 1,101 yards from scrimmage. But Robinson is a running back. So Peters may not feel it necessary to pay Robinson a second contract, but we can cross that bridge in a couple of seasons.

Much was made of Terry McLaurin accomplishing a fourth consecutive season of 1,000 yards receiving. Frankly, wasn’t too much made of this? In today’s NFL, the rules and officiating favor the offense much more than the defense. Thus, there is more passing in today’s game. In addition, the NFL regular season is now 17 games. He is a fine, hardworking player and is a team leader. Yet, one would be hard-pressed to persuade us that McLaurin is an elite receiver. But his contract may keep other teams from trading for him. Is he really worth his $24.1 million cap hit in 2024?

This leaves the only real offensive cornerstone piece upon which the Commanders must build around, and that is right guard Sam Cosmi. Cosmi’s 2024 cap hit will only be $2,108,135. His last contract year is 2024, so Peters will want to re-sign Cosmi to that second contract.

Defensively, Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne have been sturdy and energetic inside forces, but that did fall off some this past season. Allen and Payne will have cap hits of $23 million and $26.17 million in 2025. Allen and Payne were drafted in the first round by Washington in 2017 and 2018, respectively. If Peters wants to receive the highest possible value back in a trade, he may want to trade one or both this offseason.

A few young players who have shown a toughness that Peters may keep around include safeties Darrick Forrest and Kam Curl. Curl is a free agent, however, and may want to hit the open market. A third is Quan Martin, a second-round choice who flashed at times in the later games of the season.

Three other players on the offense could be nice developmental pieces. Chris Rodriguez Jr. exhibited a real toughness on special teams and in running the ball. Jahan Dotson has had his moments where he looks like he really belongs. Another is Curtis Samuel. However, Samuel is a free agent, and Peters may not want to give him a third contract.

Armani Rogers, the most athletic of the tight ends, missed this entire season with a torn Achilles tendon. But he is an athlete Peters will want to keep, as he most likely does not bring back Logan Thomas.

Peters was absolutely correct. He has a lot of work to do.

 

 

These 27 Commanders will be free agents in 2024

27 Commanders slated to hit free agency in 2024.

Times are changing in Washington. The Commanders fired head coach Ron Rivera on Monday after going 4-13 in 2023. In four seasons with Washington, Rivera’s record was 26-40-1.

Now, owner Josh Harris is looking for a new head of football operations/general manager and a new head coach. Harris has reportedly narrowed his choice for a new head of football operations between Adam Peters (49ers assistant GM) and Ian Cunningham (Bears assistant GM).

The change isn’t limited to the front office and coaching staff. The Commanders are scheduled to have 27 free agents this offseason. The number would’ve been 30, but Washington traded defensive ends Montez Sweat and Chase Young at the NFL trade deadline in October.

Several of Washington’s free agents are either full-time starters or have started several games for the Commanders in recent years.

Here’s a look at the Commanders players set to hit the open market in free agency:

Commanders’ Week 18 inactives vs. Cowboys

Kam Curl and Andrew Wylie join several other Washington starters who are out for Sunday.

The Washington Commanders revealed their inactive list for the season finale against the Dallas Cowboys, and it features some big names.

Jake Fromm will be Washington’s backup quarterback as Jacoby Brissett is inactive for the final game. Also out for Washington on Sunday are defensive tackle Jonathan Allen and safety Kam Curl. Allen was ruled out on Friday, while Curl was listed as questionable.

Additionally, the Commanders will be without right tackle Andrew Wylie and starting defensive end Casey Toohill for the finale.

Here’s the full inactive list for Washington:

  • QB Jacoby Brissett
  • S Kamren Curl
  • DE Andre Jones Jr.
  • T Andrew Wylie
  • TE Cole Turner
  • DT Jon Allen
  • DE Casey Toohill

As for the opponent, here the Cowboys’ inactives for Sunday’s game:

  • QB Trey Lance (emergency third QB)
  • CB Noah Igbinoghene
  • S Sheldrick Redwine
  • CB Eric Scott
  • G Zack Martin
  • G Tyler Smith
  • DL Viliami Fehoko Jr.

3 Commanders named on PFF’s Top-100 free-agents list

Three Commanders ranked among top 100 NFL free agents for 2024.

The Washington Commanders will end their miserable season in less than one week. The Dallas Cowboys come to FedEx Field needing a win to clinch the NFC East title and the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs.

Washington, meanwhile, has lost seven straight games and looks to secure the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft next week.

Under new owner Josh Harris, the Commanders will look a lot different in 2024. In addition to the draft, Washington has over $80 million in estimated cap space, according to Over the Cap. After trading defensive ends Montez Sweat and Chase Young at the NFL trade deadline, that’s two less contracts Washington will need to worry about this offseason.

Still, the Commanders have some key free agents in 2024. Pro Football Focus recently revealed its latest top 100 free-agent list, and three Commanders were ranked.

Which Washington players were among PFF’s top 100?

Jonathan Allen named three Commanders having a good season

Allen believes Sam Howell is just going through the growing pains of a young quarterback learning on the job.

“We could make excuses, but we are just not a good defense right now.”

That’s how Jonathan Allen making his weekly appearance on the “Sports Junkies” of 106.7 The Fan, described the Washington Commanders defense, after giving up some more explosive plays that led to Washington’s 28-20 loss Sunday to the Los Angeles Rams.

When asked about the offense having too many short possessions, forcing the defense to go right back out there on the field, Allen wasn’t taking the bait. He responded, “It is a huge factor; but there have been a lot of times we (the defense) haven’t held up our end of the bargain. There have been times the offense has done their job, and it’s been the defense who hasn’t done our job.”

When asked about how Ron Rivera might be calling the Commanders defense differently than former coordinator Jack Del Rio, Allen responded, “I definitely feel like we have been more aggressive, blitzing our linebackers more.”

Allen didn’t hesitate when asked if there were some guys on the Commanders defense who were playing well. He, without hesitation, declared that safety Kam Curl and rookie defensive end K.J. Henry are both playing well right now.

When asked about offensive players having a good season, Allen quickly supplied the name right guard Sam Cosmi. You may recall that Cosmi was a tackle before moving inside this season.

Regarding Sam Howell’s benching for Jacoby Brissett Sunday against the Rams, Allen expressed, “Sam, being a young quarterback, is going to have growing pains. He is going to have to experience things and struggle to learn.” Allen also stated he is not surprised Jacoby Brissett made some good plays Sunday, citing his experience and years in the NFL.

 

Commanders land 2 players on top 50 free-agent list

Washington’s two best defensive backs will be free agents in 2024.

The Washington Commanders could look a lot different in 2024. Washington already moved on from defensive ends Montez Sweat and Chase Young, shipping them out at the trade deadline.

The Commanders are expected to have approximately $90 million in salary cap room for 2024. In addition to that cap space, they will likely have a new general manager, coaching staff and five picks in the first round of the NFL draft.

But before Washington spends in free agency, it must decide what to do with its own free agents. The Commanders have several notable free agents in 2024, led by Kendall Fuller, Kam Curl and Antonio Gibson.

How does the rest of the NFL view Washington’s impending free agents?

Pro Football Focus recently ranked the top 50 free agents for 2024. Two Commanders were among the top 25 on the list.

First, we’ll start with Fuller at No. 15:

Fuller has been the lone bright spot in the Commanders’ cornerback room in 2023, and while he’s been plenty capable as a wide cornerback, perhaps his prior experience in the slot and at safety could be attractive to teams that desire the ability to move the savvy Fuller around as he and his game ages.

PFF projects Fuller to receive a three-year deal worth up to $40 million.

Next, Curl came in at No. 21:

Curl has quietly been one of the more underrated players in the NFL over the past several seasons, with his status as a seventh-rounder and his name getting lost in the shuffle on a defense that, up until this year’s trade deadline, was riddled with first-round talent.

Curl can line up anywhere and is as consistent as safeties come on a down-to-down basis, possessing good instincts and a clear understanding of how to manipulate leverage and angles in the open field.

PFF projects the franchise tag for Curl.

This hasn’t been Curl’s best season, but that’s not necessarily his fault. Washington’s defense as a whole has underperformed. The Commanders could have traded Curl at the deadline but they were clear they see him as a part of their future.

Chase Young was also on the list, coming at No. 28.

5 Commanders among the top 10 in Pro Bowl voting at their positions

It wouldn’t be a surprise if no Commanders were selected for the Pro Bowl.

Pro Bowl voting is underway. On Wednesday, Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network released a list of the top 10 vote earners at every position.

Five Washington Commanders, led by quarterback Sam Howell, were among the top 10 at their respective positions.

Here’s the complete list for Washington:

  • QB Sam Howell: 10th
  • KR Antonio Gibson: 7th
  • DT Jonathan Allen: 8th
  • S Kam Curl: 4th
  • S Terrell Burgess (special teams): 1st

Obviously, Burgess is the biggest surprise here. Safety Jeremy Reaves was named to the Pro Bowl as a special-teamer last season and also earned first-team All-Pro honors. Reaves was lost for the season with a knee injury in Week 5. Burgess was signed over the summer.

It’s been an up-and-down season for Howell. The second-year quarterback has had many good moments this season, but does have 14 interceptions and has been sacked 58 times.

Gibson is averaging 24.3 yards per kick return. Allen, who has been named to the last two Pro Bowls, is having a down season, along with every other member of Washington’s defense. Speaking of the defense, Curl is looking to make his first Pro Bowl in what has been a down season for him, too.

Pro Bowl voting ends on Dec. 25.

The traditional Pro Bowl was replaced by “Pro Bowl Games” last season, and four Commanders participated: Allen, Terry McLaurin, Daron Payne and Tress Way.

Commanders’ teammates praise rookie cornerback Emmanuel Forbes

Forbes’ fellow defensive backs were proud of his performance on Sunday.

It’s been a rough few weeks for Washington Commanders rookie cornerback Emmanuel Forbes. After showing promise in the first three weeks, things unraveled for Forbes in Week 4 against A.J. Brown and the Philadelphia Eagles.

Forbes struggled again the following week against Chicago wide receiver D.J. Moore. Then, over the next three weeks, Forbes didn’t play in Week 6 and played five snaps in Weeks 7 and 8. In total, since Week 4, Forbes had played a total of 34 snaps over the last four games.

Late last week, Forbes posted on Instagram that he was back, leading everyone to assume he’d be back on the field against the New England Patriots.

Forbes did play against the Patriots and, according to Pro Football Focus, was targeted four times but did not allow one catch. Even more, Forbes broke up three passes thrown in his direction.

It was the type of performance that encouraged coaches and fans. As for his teammates, they always had his back.

After the game, some of Forbes’ teammates took to Twitter — or X — to shower the rookie with praise.

First was fellow cornerback Benjamin St-Juste.

Injured safety — and team captain — Jeremy Reaves.

Finally, standout safety Kam Curl weighed in on the rookie:

Forbes should have had his second career interception, but the New England wide receiver made sure that didn’t happen.

Can Forbes continue to build off that performance next week against the Seattle Seahawks and their trio outstanding trio of wideouts.

Commanders S Kam Curl reacts to trading Montez Sweat, Chase Young

What did Kam Curl think of Tuesday’s trades?

Safety Kamren Curl arrived in Washington in 2020, the same year as defensive end Chase Young and head coach Ron Rivera. On Tuesday, Young and 2019 first-round pick Montez Sweat were traded to the San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears, respectively.

And Rivera, with a new owner in town, could soon be on his way out.

Curl, who like Young and Sweat, is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. However, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported Monday that the Commanders weren’t shopping Curl and preferred to retain him via a long-term extension.

At 12:59 p.m. ET on Tuesday, after Sweat was traded to the Bears, Curl had the following response on Twitter — or X.

Then, at 2:47 p.m. ET, 10 minutes after Ian Rapoport of NFL Network broke the news of Young’s trade to the 49ers, Curl had the following response.

What does this mean? Absolutely nothing. Curl knows Washington values him, and NFL players all understand the league is a business, first and foremost.

Will Curl miss his teammates? Sure. But life in the NFL moves fast, and the next move from Curl will likely be a contract extension, or Washington could choose to use the franchise tag if no deal is reached.

 

Commanders compete, but don’t make the needed plays in loss to Eagles

Commanders make plays, but not enough in latest loss to Eagles.

Three plays in the final quarter cost the Commanders Sunday when they lost 38-31 to the Philadelphia Eagles at FedEx Field.

Tied 24-24, Washington faced a 2nd & 15 at its 20. Sam Howell had the underneath route open but chose to go to Terry McLaurin. The pass sailed a bit high and was intercepted by Reed Blankenship. Two plays later, the Commanders were down 31-24.

On a 3rd & 8 at the Eagles 40, Howell had McLaurin open and breaking toward the sideline but did not lead him well. The ball was still catchable when McLaurin didn’t make the catch.

On the next play, Howell again had McLaurin for the first down; again, the pass was not the best, but was catchable, and again, McLaurin did not make the play, turning the ball over on downs to the Eagles.

Frankly, another way of looking at the game is remembering the Eagles twice had the ball inside the Washington five and fumbled away possessions, coming away with no points on either possession.

Trailing 17-10, the Eagles drove the 2nd half kickoff 74 yards to the 1-yard line. They called for their famed “Tush Push,” but Jalen Hurts fumbled, and Kendall Fuller recovered for the Commanders.

Earlier in the 2nd quarter, the Commanders led 14-3 when the Eagles drove 68 yards and enjoyed a 1st & goal at Washington’s 3. Kenneth Gainwell got the carry, but Kam Curl stripped Gainwell of the ball, and Phidarian Mathis recovered.

But another aspect of the story was that the Commanders defense couldn’t stop the Eagles all day. Hurts passed for 319 yards, completing 29 of 38 passes for four touchdowns.

A.J. Brown was, again, a man among boys, catching 8 passes for 130 yards and two receiving touchdowns.

Sam Howell finished 39-52 for 397 yards, 4 touchdowns, one interception, and one sack. Jahan Dotson led the Commanders with 8 receptions for 108 yards and one touchdown.

With the loss, the Commanders fall to 3-5, and the Eagles are now 7-1.

Frankly, had they played this way in a couple of other games, they would easily be 5-3. But for now, I suppose the phones will be ringing tomorrow as teams seek to trade with the Commanders.