Tag: OL Nick Gates

What are the Commanders deciding regarding C Chase Roullier?

The Commanders have a big decision to make regarding Roullier, and likely soon.

What are the Commanders going to decide regarding center Chase Roullier?

Roullier was arguably the most dependable, reliable offensive lineman for Washington. In fact, Roullier played 100% of Washington’s offensive snaps in the 2018 and 2020 seasons. In addition, in the 2019 season, he played all 100 percent of the offensive snaps in his 14 games as well.

How did the Washington management respond? They quickly re-signed Roullier. Roullier and Washington agreed to a 4-year contract extension worth $40.5 million on Jan. 2, 2021. Roullier received a full guarantee of $13.67 million, including a $9 million signing bonus (Over the Cap).

Roullier continued to be durable, effective and reliable in the 2021 season. Then it happened. In the Week 8 loss at Denver, Roullier suffered a fractured fibula and was lost for the remainder of the season.

Working his way back to the starting lineup in time for the 2022 season, Roullier unbelievably injured his knee badly on the very last offensive snap in the Week 2 loss at Detroit. Just one more play, and he would have escaped injury that day.

As a result, Roullier missed the last 14 Commanders games, and management in free agency quickly signed former New York Giant Nick Gates to a three-year deal and also re-signed veteran center Tyler Larsen.

Roullier is scheduled to count $12,420,000 against the 2023 Commanders’ salary cap. Are the Commanders waiting to see how the knee of Roullier has recovered at their OTA or Training Camp?

Might they simply be waiting to cut him after June 1? You see, if they cut him before June 1, Roullier would be an $8,100,000 cap hit and a $4,320,000 cap savings. On the other hand, if they cut Roullier after June 1, he would be a $4,050,000 cap hit and an $8,370,000 cap savings.

Might they be waiting to see if they can draft a center in the 2023 NFL Draft? Whatever they determine, fans should be reminded that Nick Gates was not overly impressive last year. That is, he might not necessarily be an improvement over Roullier. On the other hand, Gates was coming off of multiple surgeries, and perhaps Washington is confident Gates will be much stronger this year than he was last year.

Roullier was so dependable; it is so unfortunate the bad injuries he has encountered the last two seasons. The DMV would love to see Roullier return to health and be effective again. However, if the Commanders are going to keep Roullier around, the best bet would be they are going to seek to reach a new agreement with Roullier on compensation.

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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 initially address offensive line in 2023 free agency

What does Washington’s OL moves Monday mean for others, such as Chase Roullier, Wes Schweitzer and Andrew Norwell?

Commanders fans should be pleased with Washington’s front office addressing their offensive line play, which substantially dropped off in 2022.

On the first day of the 2023 free agency tampering period, the Commanders have already announced they will be signing Andrew Wylie (OT) and Nick Gates (OL).

Wylie’s deal is for three years and up to $24 million for the former Kansas City Chief. No doubt, the addition of new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy played into this decision.

Early speculation would lead us to believe Wylie will be the projected starter at right tackle. This would enable the Commanders to move right tackle Sam Cosmi inside to right guard, replacing Trai Turner. On the surface, the move appears to improve the Commanders at both positions.

Wylie is mobile at 6-foot-6, 310 pounds, and also durable. In his five seasons in the NFL, he has been available in 71 of his possible 82 games. Wylie has not been an All-Pro or a Pro Bowl-caliber player. Yet, he may still be developing and maturing as a player, as he arguably accomplished his best pass-blocking season in 2022.

Gates comes from the division rival New York Giants, and his deal is reportedly for three years at a maximum value of $18 million, and $8 million is guaranteed. Gates has been in the league for four seasons (2019-22). The 6-foot-5, 307-pounder was undrafted out of Nebraska.

Gates broke his left fibula and tibia against Washington in 2021. Seven surgeries later, he was back in the lineup, playing ten games (starting 8) in 2022.

What does this decision signify for the interior of the Commanders line? Frankly, Gates was not overly impressive in 2022. Jonathan Allen pushed him around more than a few times. Perhaps the Commanders are banking on Gates being stronger a second year following his very serious leg injuries?

Are the Commanders planning on parting ways with Chase Roullier? Wes Schweitzer? Tyler Larsen? Andrew Norwell?