After attempting to trade Morgan Moses, Washington will instead send its longtime right tackle to free agency. The team is releasing its six-year right tackle starter, Sam Fortier of the Washington Post tweets. Washington is also waiving tackle Geron Christian, according to the Washington Post’s Nicki Jhabvala (on Twitter).
Rarely a player brought up here at Pro Football Rumors, Moses signed an extension in 2017 and has gone six straight seasons without missing a game. Moses’ relative anonymity came to an end this week, with Washington making him available for trade. No takers, however, will lead to a release.
Washington added two presumptive tackle starters over the past month, drafting Samuel Cosmi in the second round and signing longtime Bears left tackle Charles Leno. The WFT will save $7.74MM by cutting Moses, who will immediately become one of the top free agents available.
Pro Football Focus graded Moses as a top-20 tackle last season. While the advanced metrics site viewed Moses as a middle-of-the-road tackle from 2017-19, the 30-year-old blocker certainly proved dependable. As Trent Williams frequently missed starts and Washington cycled through tackles after Williams’ run ended in 2019, Moses continued to suit up for games. After finishing his rookie season on IR, the former third-round pick has made 96 straight starts.
A 2018 third-round pick, Christian started eight games at left tackle with Washington. Six of those came last season. Although a Brandon Scherff extension remains a goal for the defending NFC East champions, Washington’s new regime has rebooted the team’s tackle situation.
I really don’t follow Ron’s logic. Bring in a 39 year old, stiff QB and then cut a quality starting OT? Another 500 (thereabout) season for DC.
These are rebuilding/bridge the gaps moves.
WTF, oops, I mean WFT will be lucky to get to 500 this year.
Rivera’s logic is he’d rather cut Moses sooner than later. I would wager Leno or Cosmi will be similar in production to Moses this year.
I get the trading sooner rather later, but Moses was still playing good football. Leno is not really an upgrade, and Cosmi is a rookie, so there’s not really a young talent that WFT urgently needs to start. This seems like one of those “get rid of the veteran for the sake of getting rid of the veteran” moves.
It’s the classic ‘he wasn’t my guy’ cut.
So sooner rather then later is in reference to the draft. If you release the player prior to the draft it allows him to catch on with a team that has a need, also that team can address other needs as well.
Rivera didn’t do anyone any favors by waiting until after the rookie camps and veteran try outs. If a team is in need of a OT, chances are they already have a plan in place and the funds have been spent.
As a Dolphins fan, that 39 year old was fun to watch.
Raiders could use him. I know we Drafted a player from Alabama, Alex Leatherwood, but he is a Rookie and played mostly Guard in College. A little depth couldn’t hurt.
The Raiders and Washington are in the same situation. Both teams are looking to get younger and more athletic. If you take the first three paragraphs and replace Morgan Moses with Gabe Jackson it tells the same story, as do the comments.
The Raiders let Gabe go early and allowed him to catch on quickly with Seattle, who have O-line coaches in place that worked under Tom Cable. Also both teams have draft capital invested in O-Line talent and its time for them to step up.