The 2022 season was a big one for Washington Commanders safety Kamren Curl. The third-year safety — and former seventh-round draft pick — from Arkansas had become one of the most important players on Washington’s defense.
Unfortunately, Curl’s 2022 season began on a disappointing note. Curl injured his thumb in a preseason game at Kansas City, which led to surgery and him missing the first two games. Washington’s defense struggled in those two games.
Curl returned in Week 3, and the Commanders immediately improved. Throughout the season, Washington’s defense eventually became a consistent top-10 defense. In some metrics, the Commanders were a top-5 defense.
While Washington’s defensive line received most of the credit, and rightfully so, the secondary was outstanding at times. Curl was a primary reason for that success, as evidenced by his absence over the season’s final three games. The Commanders missed Curl badly in losses to San Francisco and Cleveland in Weeks 16 and 17, respectively. Those losses ended Washington’s postseason chances.
One of the big topics surrounding the Commanders would be if they signed Curl to an extension this offseason. That appears to be a priority and a matter of if, not when.
Pro Football Focus was high on Washington’s safeties throughout the season, particularly Curl. Curl ended the 2022 season ranked as PFF’s No. 4 safety.
Curl has provided an incredible return on investment for the Commanders after being a seventh-round pick in 2020. He replaced an injured Landon Collins as a rookie, made him expendable and then improved each year since. Curl posted top-10 grades as a run defender (80.5) and in coverage (80.8) in 2022 — both career highs for the former Razorback.
Curl has provided significant flexibility for Washington’s defense, often manning the box and helping take away running backs and tight ends as mismatch options. He posted a 4.7% missed tackle rate (sixth) while acting as a second linebacker.
Washington appears to finally have a young core of safeties to build around in Curl, Darrick Forrest, Jeremy Reaves and Percy Butler. It’s a welcome sight for the Commanders who’ve spent big money on the position for years, including the horrendous signing of Landon Collins.
Now, it’s Curl’s turn to get paid.