The Washington Commanders moved on from a pair of starters on Friday in preparation for the new NFL league year in less than two weeks. Next, the Commanders will move on from one of their free-agent signings from last March.
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Washington will release offensive lineman Nick Gates at the start of the new league year on March 13.
Commanders informed center Nick Gates, who signed a three-year deal with the team one year ago, they they will release him at the start of the new league year in mid-March, per source. Gates still is due $1.99 million guaranteed for the coming season. pic.twitter.com/asErmL4sdw
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 1, 2024
Gates, 28, signed a three-year, $16.5 million deal last March with $8 million guaranteed to be Washington’s starting center. Gates spent the first five seasons of his NFL career with the New York Giants after going undrafted in 2018.
Gates started the first seven games at center and struggled. Veteran Tyler Larsen replaced Gates and, while not dominant, proved to be an upgrade over Gates. With Larsen injured late in the season, Gates returned to the lineup and started the final three games. Gates played better the second time around, but not enough to convince Washington’s new regime he should stick in 2024.
With Gates leaving and Larsen a free agent, will the Commanders turn to Ricky Stromberg as the starting center? The former All-SEC performer at Arkansas was a third-round pick last year and barely played before his season ended with a knee injury.
