Keith Ismael accepted and signed an exclusive rights tender with the Washington Commanders Tuesday, according to the league’s transaction wire.
The reserve center was drafted out of San Diego State in the 2020 NFL draft by Washington in the 5th round (156 overall).
You may recall that during the morning of Day 3 of the 2020 draft, Washington traded unhappy Trent Williams to San Francisco for a 2020 third-round pick (74 overall) which Washington used to draft cornerback Benjamin St-Juste. Also included in the deal was the fifth-round pick (156) which Washington used to select Ismael.
Ismael signed a 4-year $3.61 million dollar rookie deal and appeared in 8 games his rookie season, seeing only 34 special teams snaps and 4 offensive snaps.
However, the former Aztec was released on August 31, 2021, as the preseason was concluding, but brought back to the practice squad before the regular season began.
When Chase Roullier’s season ended against Denver in week 8 (Oct 31, 2021) Ismael was elevated to the roster, on Nov. 4, appeared in 10 games, starting 5 games at center.
The Commanders had offered Ismael the exclusive rights tender in mid-March. Ismael is thus agreeing to sign, report and again compete for a roster spot. He does offer some “position-flex” as Coach Ron likes to call it, in that he can play both center and guard.
Preview of a post for tomorrow on Washington rookie C Keith Ismael. Helps secure a stunting DE before getting out on a screen to block the Mike.
With likes of Gibson & Sims, screen game will be important for Washington. Ismael’s athleticism to block in space makes him a nice fit pic.twitter.com/EZIYCXenpg
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) August 30, 2020