Tag: Washington Commanders

LOOK: Carson Wentz will be wearing No. 11 for the Commanders

Carson Wentz is back in his old No. 11 jersey for the Commanders.

Carson Wentz is officially the new quarterback of the Washington Commanders. At 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Washington’s trade with Indianapolis for Wentz became official, and the team welcomed its new quarterback on Twitter.

Shortly after the brief Twitter video showing Wentz’s highlights from 2021, with the caption, “Welcome to the DMV, Carson,” the team released a graphic showing Wentz in the team’s brand new black alternates.

From the graphic, it’s evident Wentz will be returning to his old No. 11 — the number he donned during the first five years of his NFL career with the Eagles and in college. Wentz wore No. 2 in 2021 with the Colts.

Wentz appears happy to be back in his old number.

Wide receiver Cam Sims wore No. 11 in 2021, and he is currently a free agent. However, the team was attempting to bring him back. Sims wore No. 89 during the first three seasons of his NFL career with the Commanders.

 

Commanders tender restricted free agent kicker Joey Slye

Washington kicker Joey Slye will return in 2022.

The Washington Commanders tendered restricted free-agent kicker Joey Slye Wednesday just before the new NFL league year began, per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.

The tender is for one year at $2.4 million.

Washington signed Slye on Nov. 9 after releasing Chris Blewitt. Blewitt was signed to replace longtime kicker Dustin Hopkins, who Washington released on Oct. 20.

Slye was outstanding for the Commanders, kicking in six games and making all six of his field-goal attempts, including one from 56 yards. Slye’s only missed extra point was blocked. He began the season in Houston and also kicked for the 49ers as each team signed Slye after injuries to their regular kicker. Slye made all nine of his field-goal attempts between the three teams, including four from over 50 yards.

Slye will not be the only kicker on Washington’s offseason roster as the team is also bringing Brian Johnson back. Johnson, the kicker who replaced Slye after graduating from Virginia Tech, kicked in one game for the Commanders in 2021, nailing the game-winning kick.

It looks like there will be a full-time kicking competition this summer.

 

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.

Must see throwback: Joe Theismann with Andre the Giant

Can we please get the story behind this picture, @Theismann7… #wwe @washington_wire

Joe Theismann nearly won a Heisman Trophy and national championship at Notre Dame before turning into a Super Bowl winning starting quarterback and NFL MVP with Washington.  He wasn’t the biggest of NFL players but by no means is Theismann a small man as he was listed at 6-0, 192-pounds.

However, when you put him in the arms of a giant then that six feet and just under 200-pounds looks like nothing.  Thanks to one of the most entertaining Twitter accounts out there we now know how small Theismann looks when being held by professional wrestling legend Andre the Giant, who stood 7-4 and weighed over 500 pounds.

If nothing else I really want to know the story behind this gem.

In case you’re wondering, the biggest current college football player that I’m aware of is Minnesota offensive lineman Daniel Faalele who stands 6-8 and weighs 380-pounds.

Or more accurately, eight inches shorter and 140-pounds lighter than Andre the Giant was.

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5 running backs the Bills could now target after J.D. McKissic’s decision

After JD McKissic’s thanks but no thanks, here are 5 other free-agent RBs the #Bills could target:

The Buffalo Bills were given a stiff arm by running back J.D. McKissic.

On Tuesday, it was reported that McKissic intended to sign with the Bills via a two-year deal. Instead, he change his mind.

Per reports, his former team in the Washington Commanders never offered him a contract. Then he agreed to one in Buffalo and the Commanders said they’d match that deal if he stayed.

McKissic is now no longer Buffalo bound. He’s going back to Washington–rather, he’s simply not leaving.

The good news is that the Bills still have plenty of time to add another running back in this free agency window.

With that, here are five running backs the Bills could still target in free agency:

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.

J.D. McKissic will not sign with Bills, decides to return to Commanders

JD McKissic will not sign with the #Bills and he’ll instead return to the #Commanders:

J.D. McKissic has decided to make a U-turn.

On Tuesday, it was reported that the running back intended to sign with the Buffalo Bills via a two-year deal.

Now he’s heading back to the Washington Commanders.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, McKissic has now decided to stay in D.C. He will not be signing with the Bills.

Check back for updates…

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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?

The Commanders to release defensive lineman Matt Ioannidis

Matt Ioannidis has been with Washington since 2016.

With only hours left until the new NFL league year begins at 4:00 p.m. ET, teams continue making moves to either get under the salary cap or create more room for potential moves.

The Washington Commanders made a big move Wednesday, releasing defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis, per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, after attempting to trade him.

Examining the contract details for former Washington guard Brandon Scherff

As expected, Brandon Scherff got paid. Inside are the numbers from his new deal with the Jaguars.

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The Washington Commanders will have a new starter at right guard for the first time since 2014. Former Pro Bowl guard Brandon Scherff agreed to terms with the Jacksonville Jaguars Monday, ending his seven-year run in Washington.

Washington’s chances at signing Scherff ended when it applied the second franchise tag. Scherff was guaranteed $18 million the moment he signed the second franchise tag, meaning his agent would always negotiate off that number. Kansas City’s Joe Thuney was the NFL’s highest-paid guard in 2021, with an average annual value (AAV) of $16 million per season.

In January, Washington general manager Martin Mayhew told the media the Commanders offered Scherff a long-term deal last summer that would’ve made Scherff the highest-paid guard in NFL history. The problem was the AAV was closer to Thuney’s number, not the franchise tag, which was a non-starter for Scherff’s agent.

There’s also the fact that Scherff didn’t want to be in Washington any longer.

Now, let’s get into the details of Scherff’s new contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars, which will be official Wednesday.

Scherff will sign a three-year contract worth $49.5 million, with $30 million guaranteed, including a $15 million signing bonus.

2022

  • $1.5 million base
  • $1 million per game roster bonus
  • $500,000 workout bonus
  • $7,647,059 cap hit (3% of Jacksonville’s salary cap)
  • $30 million dead money

2023

  • $13.5 million base
  • $1 million per game roster bonus
  • $500,000 workout bonus
  • $20 million cap hit (8.9% of Jacksonville’s salary cap)
  • $23.5 million dead money

2024

  • $15 million base
  • $1 million per game roster bonus
  • $500,000 workout bonus
  • $23 million cap hit (8.4% of Jacksonville’s salary cap)
  • $5 million dead money

All cap figures courtesy of OvertheCap.com.