On Tuesday, the Washington Commanders made significant roster adjustments to meet the NFL mandate of trimming down to 53 players. The day's most eye-catching move saw Washington trading wide receiver Jahan Dotson to NFC East rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles.
The roster cuts had far-reaching implications, affecting several recent draft picks. Notables such as Ricky Stromberg, Braeden Daniels, K.J. Henry, Chris Rodriguez, and Andre Jones Jr. found themselves off the team. From the seven-member draft class assembled just 16 months ago, only Emmanuel Forbes Jr. and Quan Martin retain their spots on the team. The Commanders' purge didn't end there; of the 33 players drafted by Washington from 2020 to 2023 during the tenure of Head Coach Ron Rivera, just a slim twelve remain.
Striving for an Optimal Lineup
Commenting on the decision-making process, Dan Quinn emphasized the organization's priority to benefit the team. "We're always going to make what we think is the best decision for the team. That's our obligation. There's no 'ours' or 'theirs,' or any of that kind of good stuff. Like once I was here, I connected with lots of players here. So yeah, no looking at it as anything other than just do what we need to do best for the team and really that's where it starts and ends," he said.
Quinn's comments reflect a clear vision aimed at building a competitive roster. Washington currently holds the second waiver wire claim spot, just behind the Carolina Panthers, offering them a prime opportunity to potentially snag valuable players cut by other teams. "As the wire comes back out today, obviously the scouting department is the key part of that, of assessing a player that may be on another team that gets released and a current player on our team," added Quinn.
Significant Roster Cuts
The team's current 53-man roster includes three quarterbacks, three running backs, six wide receivers, four tight ends, nine offensive linemen, nine defensive linemen, five cornerbacks, six safeties, and three specialists. The consolidation led to several notable exits. Quarterbacks Sam Hartman and Trace McSorley, and running backs Chris Rodriguez Jr., Michael Wiley, and Austin Jones were let go. At the wide receiver position, Martavis Bryant, Kazmeir Allen, Davion Davis, Mitchell Tinsley, Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, and Brycen Tremayne were cut.
Tight end Cole Turner, along with offensive linemen Ricky Stromberg, Cameron Tom, and Julian Good-Jones faced the ax. The defense was also not spared; K.J. Henry, Andre Jones Jr., Jalen Harris, and Justin Hollins were among the more prominent releases. Linebackers Chapelle Russell and Anthony Pittman were released, as well as cornerbacks Chigozie Anusiem and Nick Whiteside.
Key Players and Structure
Despite the roster shakeup, the Commanders retained key players critical to their strategy moving forward. Defensive tackles Allen and Payne continue to anchor the defensive line, while Martin and Jeremy Chinn form a formidable safety duo. The running back unit is led by Bryan Robinson, Austin Ekeler, and Jeremy McNichols.
Quinn mentioned the importance of intensity and performance in retaining players. "You feel their intensity, you feel their speed when they play. The speed, the physicality, the effort, the straining, those are things that are Commander-style plays and I thought those two really represented that," he noted, highlighting the essential criteria in the selection process.
A notable absence from the cut list was Lucas, who missed significant time due to unspecified tightness but evidently remains valued by the organization.
As Washington looks ahead, the roster transformations are indicative of a team focused on creating a solid foundation. Quinn summarized the broader perspective regarding roster changes at this stage of the season. "It's pretty normal around the league this year at this time that a lot of these conversations and things happen. And quite often, you look at some players that never end up making it on the waiver wire," he said. "I think we'll have a better assessment for that as we head into tomorrow afternoon and the days ahead."
The coming days will be crucial as Washington continues to tweak their lineup, leveraging their high waiver claim spot for any last-minute improvements. This week's cuts and trades may well provide the team with the agility and focus they need as they gear up for the season ahead.