The Washington Commanders took care of their biggest free agent Sunday, agreeing to terms with defensive tackle Daron Payne on a four-year, $90 million deal to remain in Washington.
On Monday, with the legal tampering period opening at noon ET, Washington addressed its big need: the offensive line.
Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network reported the Commanders had agreed to terms with Giants offensive lineman Nick Gates on a three-year deal. Officially, Gates, or any free agent, can’t sign until Wednesday.
Good story here: Former #Giants OL Nick Gates, who broke his left fibula and tibia in a game against Washington in 2021 and battled his way back from seven surgeries, is headed to … Washington.
Gates has agreed to terms on a three-year deal with the #Commanders, source says. pic.twitter.com/TPHfUcu62i
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 13, 2023
Gates, 27, signed with the Giants as an undrafted free agent from Nebraska in 2018. New York signed him to a two-year extension in 2020. Washington fans will likely remember Gates for the gruesome leg injury he suffered against Washington on Thursday Night Football in September 2021.
Gates underwent surgery the next day and eventually overcame seven surgeries to return to the field to play in 10 games for the Giants in 2022, including eight starts under new head coach Brian Daboll.
Gates has played all over the Giants offensive line in his career and is primarily an interior player, but he can also fill in at tackle.
We’ll have more on Gates.
