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Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne. Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Best, worst offseason moves for Washington Commanders

By Bruce Ewing | Last updated 4/4/23

The 2023 NFL Draft will be held in Kansas City from April 27-29. In the meantime, Washington has done its best to improve the roster. Here are the Commanders' best and worst moves so far.

BEST | Daron Payne’s extension

With a new four-year, $90 million contract, Payne is now the NFL’s second-highest paid defensive tackle. The deal contains $59 million in guarantees but with a $2.51 million base salary and prorated bonuses, Payne’s 2023 cap hit is under $9 million.

His 64 combined tackles, 11.5 sacks, 20 QB hits and five pass defenses in 2022 were all career highs. With Jonathan Allen under contract through 2025, the Commanders might have the league’s best pair of defensive tackles. Payne helped the team give up the fourth-fewest yards in 2022 and making him a priority was a smart move by Washington.

BEST | Adding Jacoby Brissett

Coach Ron Rivera named Sam Howell the starting quarterback, but last year’s fifth-round pick has less than 20 passes in his NFL career. His only start came in last year’s finale where he threw for 169 yards with a touchdown and interception. Those numbers aren’t great, which is why Brissett makes so much sense.

The Washington #Commanders are signing QB Jacoby Brissett to a one-year, $8 million deal that can hit $10 million, per source. Washington gets a starting option for a quarterback who played well for Cleveland last year. pic.twitter.com/EjALh2lyCa
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 15, 2023

After seven years and four teams, Brissett has seen it all. He has over 10,000 yards in 76 games with 48 starts. He won four games for Cleveland before being replaced by Deshaun Watson last season. According to Pro Football Focus, Brissett averaged 7.1 yards per attempt with a turnover-worthy play rate of 3.1% in 2022. Not bad for a journeyman quarterback.

WORST | Keeping Logan Thomas

Thomas’ best season came in 2020 when he had 72 catches for 672 yards and six touchdowns. Since then he has 529 yards and four touchdowns. Last year he had one score despite playing in 14 games. Thomas will turn 32 soon and given his injury history, it’s surprising the team didn’t look to add depth.

Rivera spoke highly of his tight ends at the scouting combine but collectively the team's backup tight ends scored just one touchdown last year. Thomas’ cap number is almost $9 million next season, but his production doesn’t justify the number. His release would cost just $1.75 million in dead money, so it’s a bit surprising they didn’t rework his contract.

WORST | Losing Cole Holcomb

After leading the team in tackles in 2021, Holcomb was off to a great start in 2022. He had 69 tackles before a foot injury ended his season after seven games. In four years as a starter, Holcomb collected 239 solo tackles, five forced fumbles and three interceptions.

Holcomb was a vocal leader and play-caller but after the team gave a one-year deal to Seattle’s Cody Barton, Holcomb left for Pittsburgh. Barton played well last year but failed to impress in his first three seasons. He’ll need to adjust quickly to Washington’s scheme if he hopes to stick with the team.

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