Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Washington Commanders release multiple starters ahead of 2024 NFL free agency

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Evan Winter | Last updated 3/1/24

The Washington Commanders may have the most cap space in the NFL, but as we mentioned last week, that won't stop them from making the moves necessary to free up cap space and improve the roster.

Such was fortified on Friday when the Commanders released both starting tight end, Logan Thomas, and starting center, Nick Gates. Both players combined for 25 starts in 2023.

The #Commanders are releasing TE Logan Thomas, sources say. Thomas was due $6.5 million this upcoming season, including a $500k roster bonus later this month.

Thomas, 32, had 55 catches for 496 yards and 4 TDs last season — his highest output in all three categories since 2020. pic.twitter.com/gPCuoioFbk
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 1, 2024

Commanders informed center Nick Gates, who signed a three-year deal with the team one year ago, they they will release him at the start of the new league year in mid-March, per source. Gates still is due $1.99 million guaranteed for the coming season. pic.twitter.com/asErmL4sdw
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 1, 2024

The Thomas move makes all the sense in the world, since the Commanders save over $6.5 million, while incurring just $1.75 million in dead cap. That includes a $500k roster bonus due on March 16. The veteran hasn't lived up to the multi-year deal he signed back in 2021, therefore, the salary wasn't warranted. It was both a mix of production and pay, ultimately.

Gates, on the other hand, simply represents the new regime's conclusion that his contract was a bad deal and that he's not a good fit, from the start. Unless the Commanders designate Gates as a post-June 1 release, the Commanders will save just a little more than $333k against the cap. If he is in fact designated as a post-June 1 release, they'll save $2 million in 2024 and Gates will cost $1,666,668 against the cap in 2025.

Either way, the fact Dan Quinn and co. are willing to part ways one year into a three-year deal speaks volumes about whatever they saw on tape. Plus, Quinn is familiar with Gates considering he spent the previous two seasons with the New York Giants.

Both moves make sense, ultimately, and it's basically guaranteed they won't be the only cuts, either.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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