The Washington Commanders signed their first free agent of the 2022 offseason Sunday evening. No, it wasn’t Pro Bowl guard Brandon Scherff or running back J.D. McKissic. Instead, Washington re-signed defensive back and special-teams stalwart Troy Apke to a one-year deal.
The news broke late Sunday evening when Apke’s representatives, JL Sports, announced the move on Twitter.
Apke, a fourth-round selection out of Penn State in 2018, is a former safety who moved to cornerback last offseason. After playing primarily special teams during his first two NFL seasons, he opened the 2020 season — Ron Rivera’s first season — as the starter at free safety. He would start seven games that season before being replaced in the lineup.
Congratulations to client Troy Apke on agreeing to a one year deal with the @Commanders
— JL Sports (@JLSports3) March 14, 2022
At the end of training camp last summer, some complained about Apke making the final 53-man roster. Rivera would explain how important Apke was to Washington’s special teams’ units.
Re-signing Apke is a sensible move for the Commanders. He is a valuable player for Washington on special teams and has experience on defense to fill if the Commanders suffer several injuries in a game.