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Wasn’t it strange recently how Commanders head coach Ron Rivera completely omitted a 2022 starter when asked about who will move forward on the 2023 offensive line?
Recently when Commanders head coach Ron Rivera was asked about his offensive line, Rivera openly mentioned how at left guard second-year guard out of Tulsa Chris Paul and fourth-year lineman out of LSU, Saahdiq Charles will battle it out for the starting job.
What was amazing to those paying attention was that Rivera completely overlooked starter Andrew Norwell, not including him in the mix, though he remains on the current roster.
It is no secret to any close follower of the Commanders that the 2022 season was one in which the offensive line’s play took a downward slide from a fine 2021 season. Norwell certainly at times had his struggles.
Penalty, sack, penalty, sack: Four plays from LG Andrew Norwell, starting in the late 3rd quarter and carrying over into the 4th. pic.twitter.com/dg5N9rBtpG
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) October 10, 2022
In the previous off season, Washington had lost starting guards Brandon Scherff and Ereck Flowers. Scherff chose to leave for more money in Jacksonville, and the Commanders determined to release Flowers.
The Commanders then chose to bring in free agents Norwell and Trai Turner. These two however did not perform up to the level of play of Scherff and Flowers and the Washington offense struggled at times.
The Commanders released center Chase Roullier designating it a post-June 1 release which will save the Commanders more cap space. For months, many have expected the release of Norwell. Perhaps the Commanders will release Norwell after June 1. The release of Roullier and Norwell would save the Commanders around $12 million.
Norwell also managed apparently to not give any time to the media last season. Perhaps he was not actually pleased with his play in 2022? There is no mistaking that Coach Ron certainly appears to have moved on in his own mind from Norwell.