The Washington Commanders signed Bobby McCain last May quickly after the Miami Dolphins released him. McCain had experience playing cornerback and free safety, but it was safety where Washington wanted McCain to play in 2021.
After a slow start, McCain turned things around and was one of Washington’s most consistent defensive players in the second half of last season. McCain’s play kept the Commanders from pursuing one of the big-name safeties available in free agency, choosing instead to re-sign McCain on a two-year deal.
Kam Curl has Washington’s other safety position locked down.
While there were numerous talented free safeties available on the open market this offseason, there is another one who could be available now in Jessie Bates of the Cincinnati Bengals.
Bates, 25, is entering his fifth NFL season in 2022 after the Bengals placed the franchise tag on him earlier this year and could not come to terms on a new contract before last week’s deadline.
Judging by Cincinnati’s offer to Bates, it doesn’t appear he is in the team’s long-term plans. Therefore, Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports looked at eight potential destinations for Bates, and the Commanders came in at No. 7.
It’s as simple as this: Ron Rivera is a defensive guy, and the weakest link on his otherwise feisty defense is the secondary, specifically safety. Washington has financial flexibility going into 2022, and depending on Carson Wentz’s performance at quarterback, they could save tens of millions by resetting that spot in 2023. Bates would represent a monumental upgrade over current starters Bobby McCain and Kamren Curl, giving Rivera a true centerfielder.
While Bates would represent an upgrade for the back end of Washington’s defense, I don’t see Ron Rivera parting with valuable draft capital for a safety. After all, if Rivera thought the position was a glaring weakness, he would’ve addressed it in free agency instead of re-signing McCain.
Yes, Bates is worth trading for, but at this point, it makes more sense for the Commanders to run with McCain and Curl as the starters again and see where young players Darrick Forrest and Percy Butler are in their development.