Defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis had been with the Washington Commanders since being drafted in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL draft. Ioannidis’ time in Washington ended Wednesday when the team released him, along with guard Ereck Flowers in a pair of surprising cuts.
While the release of Flowers was a big surprise, considering Washington lost Brandon Scherff to free agency. Flowers, 27, played well in his return to Washington last season and was scheduled to count almost $10 million against the 2022 salary cap. However, Flowers seemed more of a candidate for an extension rather than an outright release.
The release of Ioannidis wasn’t a total shock, as we’d discussed him as a possible cut when discussing ways the Commanders could create more cap room. However, the timing was curious. Why release Ioannidis just hours before the new NFL league year? Why not release him before, allowing him a better chance at finding a new team before the start of free agency?
