The Washington Commanders have made some major adjustments to their offense this offseason. Arguably the biggest one is Eric Bieniemy taking over as offensive coordinator as he looks to use the job in Washington as a catapult toward a head coaching opportunity.
It is a major risk leaving Andy Reid’s staff with the Kansas City Chiefs and working with Patrick Mahomes, but Washington isn’t without some impressive weapons. While taking over as coordinator for an offense with an unproven quarterback in Sam Howell being the starter is a big risk, if Bieniemy is as much of an offensive whiz as many believe him to be, he will make the most of it.
Having a group of skill position players headlined by wide receivers Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel, Jahan Dotson and running backs Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson. The biggest turnover from last season, personnel-wise, is along the offensive line.
Andrew Wylie came over to Washington along with Bieniemy to take over as the starting left tackle. Wes Schweitzer, Wes Martin and Trai Turner all departed in free agency or remain free agents. This week, however, another player is joining the market.
According to Dov Kleiman on Twitter, via Nicki Jhabvala, the Commanders are cutting their starting center, Chase Roullier. Roullier has been a stalwart in their lineup since being drafted in 2017, starting 69 games.
However, he has been unable to stay healthy the last few seasons, which is a big reason that the Commanders are moving on from him. He signed a huge four-year, $40.5 million deal in 2021, but he has started only 10 games since putting pen to paper on that deal.
Designated as a post-June 1st release, the Commanders will save $8.73 million in cap space by releasing Roullier. He should have a relatively strong market because when healthy, he is one of the best centers in the NFL. During his last full, healthy season in 2020, Roullier fourth-ranked center in the league according to PFF.
The Commanders did sign Nick Gates away from the New York Giants in free agency, agreeing to a three-year, $16.5 million deal. That certainly isn’t backup money, as the plan likely was for him to take over for Roullier as the starter.
