It wasn’t long ago that the Washington Commanders were paying more for tight ends than any team in the NFL. That was when Washington had Jordan Reed and Vernon Davis on the roster. Washington received a total of four games played from Reed and Davis in 2019, and it was clear a reset was in order for the position in 2020.
Under new head coach Ron Rivera, Washington signed former college quarterback Logan Thomas in free agency. Thomas would catch 72 passes and six touchdowns in 2020, earning a three-year extension. Unfortunately, Thomas battled injuries in 2021, and while he played in 14 games in 2022, he was never all the way back from the knee injury he suffered in Dec. 2021.
So, over the last few offseasons, the Commanders have continued to add young talent to the position, beginning with fourth-round pick John Bates in 2021. In 2022, Washington drafted Cole Turner and signed undrafted free agents Curtis Hodges and another former college QB, Armani Rogers.
Unfortunately, Rogers injured his Achilles on Day 1 of OTAs last month, ending his 2023 season before it began.
With Rogers not an option for 2023, how does Rivera feel about his tight end room?
It starts with Thomas.
The guy that’s back, and you’re real happy to see him back, obviously, is Logan,” Rivera said. “He’s really showing us that some of the things that they did in Kansas City we’re gonna be able to do with him and the other guys.”
The Kansas City mention is Rivera referencing new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy’s offense. Bieniemy spent 10 seasons with the Chiefs, the last five as offensive coordinator. While the Commanders do not have a Travis Kelce on their roster — no one does — the position is important in Bieniemy’s offense.
Turner is the young tight end that has everyone talking. The 2022 fifth-round pick was terrific last summer in training camp before injuring his hamstring. Turner never seemed to get back healthy for the remainder of his rookie season as he also dealt with a concussion.
The early returns from Turner are encouraging this offseason.
“You look at what you’re getting from Cole,” Rivera said. “You look at some of the dynamic things he’s doing. Showing that’s pretty much the same thing we saw last year until, like you said, he got dinged up a little bit.”
If Turner can stay healthy, there is excitement about him in 2023.
Bates has a specific role. He is an excellent blocker and a competent receiver. His blocking will keep him in the lineup.
“You look at John [Bates], and you say, wow, this, that guy’s really grown,” Rivera said. “I mean, you know, his role for us is gonna be a little bit different than it’s been traditionally.”
An increased role for Bates?
Don’t forget about Hodges, either.
“Curtis Hodges is a guy that’s really stepped up,” the head coach said.
“We were able to put him on injured reserve and then never got a chance to get him off of it. At the end, we designated him for return, and we obviously ran out of time with him, but we got to see some of the things that we wanted to, and we’re seeing it again. And, that’s cause for optimism.”
The Commanders will likely carry four tight ends and keep three active on gameday. Hodges is the likely odd man out if all four are healthy, but it’s clear Washington is happy with all four players.
You should expect the position to be a focal point in Washington’s offense for the 2023 season.