Commanders Can Sign Bengals Free Agent to Replace Andrew Wylie
Right tackle Andrew Wylie was perhaps the biggest disappointment along a disastrous Washington Commanders offensive line in 2023, but Jonah Williams of the Cincinnati Bengals can replace him in 2024 NFL free agency.
Williams is the O-lineman the Commanders should want to sign, according to Bryan Manning of Commanders Wire. He made his case for a list compiled by Touchdown Wire’s Alyssa Barbieri, and Manning believes Williams is gettable because “while the Bengals would love to retain him, they have other players to pay. He should hit free agency and have a strong market.”
Although “Williams began his career at left tackle but moved to right tackle in 2023 to accommodate Orlando Brown. Some teams could view Williams as a left tackle, which would also alter his asking price.”
Fortunately, the Commanders needn’t pay over the odds for Williams. Not based on where they need him to play: “For Washington, it should pursue Williams to play right tackle and use the draft to find the left tackle of the future to protect the rookie quarterback.”
It’s a sound plan, but one that would surely spell trouble for Wylie. Especially since he’s set to be one of the team’s bigger cap hits for 2024.
Commanders Have Room for Jonah Williams
There’s no shortage of spots for Williams along Washington’s front five. As Manning put it, “the Commanders could have as many as four new starters in 2024. Only RG Sam Cosmi is assured of his spot.”
Keeping Cosmi makes sense after the second-round pick in the 2021 NFL draft went from strength to strength last season. Cosmi graded “4th among all guards,” per PFF Commanders.
The grade marked a successful position switch for Cosmi, whose struggles on the edge prompted the Commanders to sign Wylie. That didn’t work, but Williams could bring some stability to the same position.
Performances like this explain why Williams merited the 11th-overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft. Shoulder surgery wiped out his rookie campaign, but Williams bounced back in style to help the 2021 Bengals reach the Super Bowl.
Andrew Wylie Didn’t Make the Grade
Wylie looked like a home-run signing in free agency after the levels he reached helping the Kansas City Chiefs win the 2023 Super Bowl. Wiley dominated Haason Reddick and a Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive front that had logged 70 sacks, per PFF.
