Tag: Matt Ioannidis

Washington picks up Montez Sweat’s 5th-year option

The Washington Commanders have already made the determination that they will pick up Montez Sweat’s 5th-year option

Though the deadline is Monday, May 1, the Washington Commanders have already made the determination that they will exercise the fifth-year option on Montez Sweat’s contract.

The Commanders’ decision to pick up his option will result in the defensive end being guaranteed $11.5 million for the 2023 season.

This development comes only one day after it was revealed the Commanders have no intention to extend defensive tackle Daron Payne. Washington inexplicably let fellow defensive tackles Tim Settle and Matt Ioannidis go in March. Settle signed with Buffalo for only $9 million over two years and Ioannidis was released.

If the front office was not going to extend Payne, they could have kept both Settle and Ioannidis, and then traded Payne for a draft pick or two earlier in the offseason for more than they will get now when they have revealed they need to trade him.

The moves mean Washington will have Jonathan Allen, Sweat and Chase Young securely through the 2023 season and with their losing Ioannidis, Settle and possibly Payne, they are most likely to draft a defensive tackle this week, as well as sign a veteran free agent defensive tackle following the draft.

Sweat was selected by Washington 26th overall in the 2019 draft and is still only 25 years old. In his three seasons in Washington, Sweat has accumulated seven forced fumbles,  21 sacks, 46 QB hits, 23 tackles for a loss and a 15-yard interception return touchdown in a 2020 Thanksgiving Day win at Dallas.

Daron Payne not in Washington’s future plans?

It’s been a frustrating offseason for Washington fans.

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It wouldn’t be Washington football if it didn’t involve uncertainty.

Don’t call me a hater.

Seriously, I have followed this team much closer than most fans since the 1969 season. I fell in love as a kid when the Redskins had Sonny Jurgensen throwing tight spirals to Charley Taylor and Jerry Smith while a young Larry Brown was becoming one of the fiercest runners to ever put on a helmet.

I watched all five Super Bowls in team history and cried as a 9-year-old when they lost Super Bowl VII. So don’t call me a hater.

But today’s latest development again left me frustrated. The front office/head coach Ron Rivera and his front office assistants will not extend defensive tackle Daron Payne.

This AFTER they let Tim Settle go to sign with Buffalo for a mere $9 million over two years and then released Matt Ioannidis. Wait, what?

Following the team for 50+ years, I certainly understand it is a business. Ok, so why release this information today? Why let each of your competitors know you now “have” to trade him? I wrote about this prior to the trade for Carson Wentz, regarding their desperation to obtain a quarterback.

Ok, they were determined to re-sign Jonathan Allen, and I approved of the move. So, why haven’t they been trying to trade Daron Payne earlier in this 2022 offseason, when many other teams were making trades?

If they had traded Payne earlier, could they have not kept both Ioannidis and Settle? They certainly could have.

Has there been much of a plan this offseason? Is it just me, or does it seem there are reactions rather than direction and vision? They cannot let Payne get to the 2022 season. Good grief, Kirk Cousins, Brandon Scherff AND Daron Payne? Is there a plan?

Perhaps they will trade him during this week’s NFL draft? What will they get for him? If they lose Payne, Ioannidis and Settle in a two-month span, their strongest roster spot (DT) will have been virtually annihilated.

Forgive me, but sometimes I feel as soon as Washington strengthens one weakness (QB), it manages to create two more weaknesses, which is what they have done this offseason: strengthen QB, weaken their draft possibilities and gut their defensive tackle depth.

 

Report: Commanders are not expected to offer defensive tackle Daron Payne an extension

A new report indicates the Commanders are not expected to offer defensive tackle Daron Payne a contract extension. Payne is a free agent after the 2022 season.

In some surprising news Tuesday morning, Ben Standig of The Athletic reported the Washington Commanders are not expected to offer defensive tackle Daron Payne a contract extension.

This is surprising.

The Commanders allowed Tim Settle, who was selected in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL draft to walk. Settle signed a modest two-year deal with the Buffalo Bills. Shortly thereafter, Washington released veteran defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis, who played 59% of the team’s defensive snaps in 2021.

Once a team strength, the defensive tackle position is now left with Pro Bowler Jonathan Allen and Payne — on the final year of his contract.

The Commanders have shown interest in Oklahoma defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey, who is expected to be a second-round draft pick. Washington does not have a third-round or fifth-round selection in the 2022 NFL draft.

Other positions Washington would like to address are wide receiver, safety, linebacker and the offensive line. Now, the defensive tackle position has become a priority. With just six picks in the draft, Washington desperately needs to move back and acquire more selections.

Payne, the No. 13 overall player selected in the 2018 NFL draft, will play on the fifth-year option of his rookie deal at around $8.5 million in 2022.

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Commanders NEED to trade down in 2022 NFL draft

The Commanders should move down at every opportunity to add multiple picks in this year’s draft. Of course, you need a trade partner.

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The Washington Commanders really need to trade down in the upcoming 2022 NFL draft.

When Washington wanted Carson Wentz so badly, was it necessary to relinquish a 2022 third-round draft pick, a 2023 third-round pick that is conditional and is most likely to become second-round pick? Was it also necessary, that the Commanders allowed Colts GM Chris Ballard to talk them into swapping down from the No. 42 overall selection Friday to the No. 47 selection? Even more, did Ballard also get his way, when Washington agreed to take on Wentz’s entire salary for the next three seasons?

Colts owner Jim Irsay had already laid down the gavel to Ballard and head coach Frank Reich that Irsay did not want Wentz back for 2022. Thus Ballard “HAD” to trade Wentz.

This means Washington does not presently own an opportunity to select a player in either the third or fifth rounds of this year’s draft. You recall in the 2021 NFL draft Washington sent this year’s fifth-round pick to the Eagles for a sixth-round pick (225) and a seventh-round pick (240). With those two picks, Washington selected Cameron Cheeseman and William-Bradley King.

In addition, Washington’s strongest position last year was defensive tackle. The team exhibited strength and depth with Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Matt Ioannidis and Tim Settle. However, they failed to sign Tim Settle, and he signed a two-year deal for only $9 million with Buffalo. Washington then released Ioannidis “after” losing Settle.

Was Washington actually negotiating with Settle, attempting to keep him? He signed quickly for a price Washington could have easily matched or bettered, had they released Ioannidis just days earlier.

Without a third-round and fifth-round pick, Washington still has two options. They have the No. 11 and No. 47 overall selections.  They desperately need to add a strong inside defensive tackle in this draft. They might also like to draft a quarterback as well to see how he develops in the next few seasons.

Consequently, Washington could trade down from No. 11 overall, still remain in the first round, and easily pick up an extra draft pick or two. They could also trade down from No. 47 adding a draft pick as well.

Yes, Washington landed an upgrade at quarterback in Wentz. And yes, they also still have the opportunity in front of them in this week’s draft to trade down and meet other roster needs that should be addressed.

Two things will need to be present: a team wanting badly enough to trade up and Washington wanting badly enough to trade down to obtain a few more draft picks.

 

Matt Ioannidis lands with his former college coach

Former Washington defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis signs with Panthers.

It didn’t take long for former Washington defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis to find a new home. Ioannidis agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the Carolina Panthers Friday, reuniting him with his former college coach at Temple, Matt Rhule.

Ioannidis, released Wednesday just before the new NFL league began, spent six seasons with the Washington Commanders after being a fifth-round pick in the 2016 NFL draft.

After his release, Ioannidis’ agent sounded off, saying he directly asked Washington’s representatives at the NFC combine if Ioannidis was in the team’s plans, and Washington’s top salary-cap guy, Rob Rogers, told the agent he had nothing to worry about.

The Commanders were in desperate need for salary-cap space after agreing to trade for quarterback Carson Wentz and his $28 million salary in 2022. However, Washington knew over a week ago Wentz was coming and should have spoken to the agent ahead of time and let him know this was a possibility. Ioannidis deserved that respect.

In six years with the Commanders, Ioannidis appeared in 73 games, with 40 starts, and finished with 175 tackles and 24.5 sacks.

 

Panthers expected to sign DT Matt Ioannidis

Panthers head coach Matt Rhule has gone to the Temple well once again, as the team is expected to sign DT Matt Ioannidis.

When the Carolina Panthers lost defensive tackle DaQuan Jones to the Buffalo Bills—they lost a reliable, productive and, quite frankly, overlooked piece to their roster. So, now they’ll have to replace him.

They may have found that worthy replacement in Matt Ioannidis, who was released just two days ago by the Washington Commanders. As first reported by Ben Standig of The Athletic, the Panthers are expected to sign the 6-foot-3, 310-pounder to a one-year deal.

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Washington cleared cap space on Wednesday: what happens next?

Washington created some salary-cap space Wednesday. What happens next?

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After staying relatively quiet during the first two days of the legal tampering period, the Washington Commanders were busy Wednesday, only hours before the new NFL league year began.

Washington surprisingly released longtime defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis and, shortly after, also starting left guard Ereck Flowers. The release of Flowers was a bigger surprise. The Commanders had already lost starting right guard Brandon Scherff to free agency. Now, Washington would be without both of its starting guards from 2021. One could argue that Flowers and Scherff were among the best pair of guards in the NFL in 2021.

After those releases hit the news, a bigger story emerged when it was revealed running back J.D. McKissic would instead be signing with the Commanders after initially agreeing to a two-year deal with the Buffalo Bills.

The team wanted to retain McKissic, and after not offering him a deal before free agency, he agreed to terms with the Bills. However, after agreeing to a contract with Buffalo, Washington wanted to match the deal. McKissic did not want to leave and changed his mind. That was good news for the Commanders and offensive coordinator Scott Turner, as McKissic is a valuable offensive weapon.

Washington also designated safety Landon Collins as a post-June 1 cut, meaning it will save $11.9 million on the 2022 salary cap in a few months.

Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reported Wednesday that wide receiver Cam Sims had re-signed with Washington on a one-year deal worth $3 million. Washington also tendered kicker Joey Slye at around $2.4 million.

Washington also released veteran safety and special-teams stalwart DeShazor Everett Wednesday. Everett’s release was expected as he’s dealing with a tragic off-field issue.

Per OvertheCap.com, the Commanders have around $19.8 million in cap space as of early Thursday morning. That number apparently hasn’t taken into account McKissics, Sims, or Slye’s deals. However, more importantly, Washington has some wiggle room — and more coming — to either sign a costly veteran or add depth at a few positions, such as wide receiver, offensive line, defensive tackle and safety.

Before Wednesday, the defensive tackle position was still in good shape. Washington had starters Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, along with Ioannidis. The Commanders lost promising four-year vet Tim Settle earlier this week, as he signed with the Buffalo Bills.

If Washington planned on releasing Ioannidis, and in no way do I believe this was decided upon on Wednesday, why not release him last week? It would give you an opportunity to match the modest offer Buffalo gave Settle. Settle, a Virginia native may have stayed with more money and an increase in playing time. Now, you could be looking at an issue in the future as Payne’s contract is up after the 2022 season. Depth at defensive tackle is now an issue.

The Flowers’ release was even more puzzling. Washington planned to lose Scherff. The Commanders felt comfortable with Wes Schweitzer and Saahdiq Charles battling it out to replace Scherff. Both players impressed at guard last season. However, now you have to replace both guards. Flowers, 27, has played the best football of his career during his two stints with Washington. He was going to count $10 million against the salary cap. Why not negotiate an extension?

Could Washingon pursue veteran guard Andrew Norwell? Norwell is the same age as Scherff, and also a former All-Pro. He also spent four seasons with Rivera in Carolina. Norwell could play one guard spot, while Schweitzer and Charles battled it out for the other spot. Norwell would likely play left guard, which is where Flowers played.

Could Washington also be clearing out room for a big acquisition? Defensive back Tyrann Mathieu seems doubtful as Washington re-signed Bobby McCain Tuesday. Sure, Mathieu is the far superior player, but it would almost seem like a waste of resources to sign McCain and then pursue Mathieu with so many other needs. One thing to note, both Mathieu and McCain can play multiple positions in the secondary.

Perhaps Washington could pursue linebacker Bobby Wagner. That would be smart, but Wagner has plenty of options. Do we believe he’d choose the Commanders?

Regardless, Washington has plenty of holes to fill and these next few weeks in free agency should be interesting.

 

Matt Ioannidis’ agent is not happy with Washington

Washington released Matt Ioannidis Wednesday after telling his agent at the NFL combine he was in the team’s plans.

Defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis had been with the Washington Commanders since being drafted in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL draft. Ioannidis’ time in Washington ended Wednesday when the team released him, along with guard Ereck Flowers in a pair of surprising cuts.

While the release of Flowers was a big surprise, considering Washington lost Brandon Scherff to free agency. Flowers, 27, played well in his return to Washington last season and was scheduled to count almost $10 million against the 2022 salary cap. However, Flowers seemed more of a candidate for an extension rather than an outright release.

The release of Ioannidis wasn’t a total shock, as we’d discussed him as a possible cut when discussing ways the Commanders could create more cap room. However, the timing was curious. Why release Ioannidis just hours before the new NFL league year? Why not release him before, allowing him a better chance at finding a new team before the start of free agency?

Ioannidis’ agent, Alan Herman, and fellow agent Jared Fox said they met with Washington senior vice president of football administration Rob Rogers at the NFL combine and asked if Ioannidis was in the team’s plans for 2022. Herman insisted Rogers told him Ioannidis was indeed in Washington’s plans.

He wasn’t happy. Here is his full response, per Stephen Whyno of The Associated Press:

They looked us straight in the eye, Rob Rogers, and Rob basically said to Jared and myself: ‘Absolutely not. We have no thoughts of releasing Matt Ioannidis.’ We don’t particularly care to be lied to to our face. I don’t like when someone lies to my face. They took him out of the free-agent market now for two days. That puts us now at a disadvantage because other teams have paid other defensive linemen contracts, and (Ioannidis) hasn’t been able to take advantage of that. That’s not the way you conduct business in the National Football League.

It’s an understandable point of view from Ioannidis’ representatives. There are multiple reasons as to why Washington should’ve made this move before Wednesday. Yes, things change, but the Commanders should have known this was a possibility as soon as they traded for quarterback Carson Wentz.

Still, this is not a good look for Washington.

J.D. McKissic changes mind, set to return to Commanders

J.D. McKissic will return to the Commanders after all.

With only hours before the new NFL league year begins, the Washington Commanders have some good news to report. Running back J.D. McKissic, who agreed to terms with the Buffalo Bills Tuesday, has changed his mind and will return to the Commanders, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.

According to Schefter, the compensation is the same — a two-year contract worth $7 million.

Washington had wanted to keep McKissic all along, so it was a surprise when he agreed to terms with the Bills. McKissic was Washington’s second-leading receiver in 2021, despite missing six games.

This is terrific news for the Commanders, who keep around one of their top offensive playmakers around new quarterback Carson Wentz.

Earlier Wednesday, it was reported the Commanders were releasing defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis and starting left guard Ereck Flowers. Safety Landon Collins is expected to be a post-June 1 release.

The Commanders to release guard Ereck Flowers

Washington releases guard Ereck Flowers in a surprise move.

In a surprise move, the Washington Commanders have released starting left guard Ereck Flowers, according to his agent Drew Rosenhaus, via Adam Schefter of ESPN.

After releasing Flowers, Washington has lost both of its starting guards from 2021. Right guard Brandon Scherff agreed to terms with the Jacksonville Jaguars Monday.

Flowers, a former top-10 pick of the New York Giants in 2015, signed with Washington in 2019 after a disappointing tenure in New York. Former offensive line coach Bill Callahan moved him to guard, where he excelled. After a strong 2019 season, Flowers signed a three-year contract with the Miami Dolphins.

After one season in Miami, the Dolphins sent Flowers to Washington before the 2021 NFL draft. In his return to Washington, Flowers was terrific in 2021.

After the release of Flowers and Matt Ioannidis, Washington saves almost $17 million in salary-cap room.

The Commanders are expected to release safety Landon Collins, freeing up even more money.

Could a big move be coming for the Commanders?