Contracts Commanders Must Consider Cutting in 2024 Offseason

The Washington Commanders could potentially go through a transformational offseason.

Washington is still waiting to name its head coach, as of Wednesday morning, but even without a new boss in charge, some personnel moves must be made to make the roster better.

The Commanders need to fix an offensive line that allowed 65 sacks in the 2023 season and they must improve the skill position players around whomever starts at quarterback in 2024, whether it be Sam Howell or a player chosen with the No. 2 overall pick.

Washington has $83 million of salary cap space to work with, per Spotrac, so that will help with some of the improvements, but the team could have even more room if it sheds some deals from its books.

Logan Thomas

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INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 17: Logan Thomas #82 of the Washington Commanders runs a route during a game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images)

Logan Thomas' totals over his four-year tenure in Washington are not good enough to match his contract.

Thomas, who is scheduled to make the sixth-most money on the Commanders roster in 2024, has one season with more than 500 receiving yards and has struggled with injuries.

Thomas kicked off his Washington career with 670 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 2020, but since then, he has not come close to matching that production.

One could argue that having a veteran tight end, like Thomas, around for the 2024 season would help with any quarterback development, but his contract is too expensive for that role, or the No. 1 tight end role with his recent numbers.

Thomas' contract would only cost $1.75 million in dead cap money if he gets released before the $8.2 million final year of his three-year deal.

Washington could choose to get younger at tight end so that the 2024 starting quarterback has a few young options to work with along with Terry McLaurin as the No. 1 pass-catcher.

Nick Gates

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LANDOVER, MD - JANUARY 07: Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) drops back with center Nick Gates (63) providing protection during the NFL game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Commanders on January 7, 2024 at FedEx Field in Landover, MD. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Washington offensive line needs to be reworked regardless of who starts under center in September.

The Commanders allowed Howell to be sacked on 65 occasions in 2023.

A similar total in 2024 would restrict the development of Howell, or the new quarterback that enters the franchise.

Nick Gates is one of three Commanders offensive linemen scheduled to make over $5 million next season.

Gates' deal is cheaper than the ones Charles Leno and Andrew Wylie signed and it is easier to get out of with a $5.2 million cap hit.

Washington may want to keep most of its veteran offensive linemen in place in order to not rebuild everywhere, but a change may be have to made to avoid another 60-plus-sack concession.

Dyami Brown

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LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 31: Dyami Brown #2 of the Washington Commanders warms up before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at FedExField on December 31, 2023 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

Dyami Brown could be a casualty of the new coaching staff.

The fourth-year wide receiver failed to earn over 200 receiving yards in any of his three NFL seasons and has mainly been used on special teams.

The Commanders could cut Brown from his $1.5 million contract to become more efficient at wide receiver.

McLaurin is the obvious No. 1 pass-catcher and Jahan Dotson should still be in the team's plans.

With Curtis Samuel set to hit free agency, the Commanders could sign three or more new pass-catchers to revamp the passing offense that ranked 18th in 2023.