Do Commanders Have NFL’s Worst Offensive Line?
New Washington Commanders' offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy inherited some skill-position talent with the likes of running back Brian Robinson Jr., tight end Logan Thomas and receivers Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson.
But Bieniemy will have his work cut out trying to protect second-year quarterback Sam Howell.
Sharp Football Analysis recently ranked all 32 offensive lines in the NFL, and the Commanders were the third-worst group, checking in at No. 30:
"Washington’s lack of skill-position talent is only going to look worse behind a shaky offensive line," Sharp Football Analysis wrote. "The unit allowed pressure in 2.5 seconds or fewer on 24.6% of snaps last year, ranked 25th. Last year, six of our eight worst offensive line units missed the playoffs."
While we believe the skill-position talent in Washington is better than it's being given credit for -- especially if Bieniemy is able to get bounce-back years from Thomas and running back Antonio Gibson -- his point about the offensive line is understood.
It probably isn't a coincidence that Washington is ranked this far down the list after allowing two former Pro Bowl offensive linemen to depart in recent seasons.
All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams had a very ugly breakup with the franchise after the medical staff downplayed a bump on his head that later turned out to be a cancerous tumor, which fortunately was successfully treated. Still, Williams never played another game for the Washington franchise, as he was traded to the San Francisco 49ers after not playing at all in 2019.
Meanwhile, Washington selected right guard Brandon Scherff with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. In seven seasons with the franchise, Scherff made five Pro Bowl appearances and was a First-Team All-Pro selection in 2020. And yet, the Commanders allowed him to leave in free agency after the 2021 season, with Scherff eventually landing a three-year, $49.5 million deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars, a pact that guaranteed him $30 million.
Had the Commanders managed relationships with Williams and Scherff better, they would very likely have one of the best offensive lines in the NFL currently. Instead, Bieniemy will have to make chicken salad in 2023 with what looks to be one of the worst offensive lines in the sport.
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