Everyone knows how important fourth-year safety Kamren Curl is to the Washington Commanders. While much focus is on Washington’s defensive line, led by Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne — and rightfully so — Curl is an integral part of the Commanders’ secondary.
When Curl missed the first two games of the 2022 season, the defense, particularly the secondary, struggled. When Curl returned in Week 3, everything settled down. That didn’t go unnoticed by Washington’s coaching staff and Curl’s teammates.
Curl also missed the final three games of last season, and the Commanders struggled badly in losses in Weeks 16 & 17.
There is a lot of talk about the contract status of defensive ends Montez Sweat and Chase Young. Both are free agents at the end of the 2023 season after the Commanders declined Young’s fifth-year option last month. But it is Curl who is perhaps Washington’s most important free agent in 2024.
And, despite no new contract as of now, Curl reported to OTAs this week, unlike Sweat and Young. Yes, it’s voluntary, but Curl also has a lot to lose; being a leader, he felt it was essential to be with his team, even if he only participated in individual drills so far this week.
“Nah, you know, I am just coming to work being with the guys,” Curl said when asked about his contract situation. “I like being around my team; that’s why I’m here.”
That answer is why head coach Ron Rivera and defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio have praised Curl’s leadership.
It’s not that Washington doesn’t want to extend Curl. Due to the ownership situation, the Commanders cannot do anything significant at the moment, something Rivera alluded to Wednesday.
“For the most part, everything’s on hold,” Rivera said. “We’ll let the process as far as the ownership piece continues to unfold and develop. I know about as much as you guys do. As that process goes, we’ll continue to do as much of the football business as usual as we can.”
Once Washington’s ownership situation is resolved, don’t be surprised if the team is on the line with Curl’s representatives with a new contract.
