Commanders Part Ways With Center Chase Roullier After Six Seasons

By Mark Solway | May 7th, 2023

After six years with the Washington Commanders, Chase Roullier’s time in Washington has come to an end. The Commanders announced the release of Roullier with a post-June 1 designation on Friday, allowing the team to save $8.37 million next season, with $4 million of dead money.

After being picked in the sixth round in 2017, the Wyoming product quickly became Washington’s starting center.

He signed a four-year extension worth just over $40 million in January 2021, but has played in just ten games since then. At first he missed time due to a broken left fibula and then his absence was caused by a right knee injury. He began training camp last year on the physically unable to perform list and managed to come back to start the first two games of the regular season. Then he went down again, and Washington was forced to sub several players in and out at center.

Upon Roullier’s release, head coach Ron Rivera said in a statement, “We want to thank Chase for everything he has done for the Commanders organization over the past six years. Chase has been a great leader on and off the field, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

The Commanders are rebuilding an offensive line that struggled in the 2022 season. The team has already made significant changes to the line through free agency and the NFL draft. Nick Gates was signed away from the New York Giants to potentially replace Roullier as the starting center. Additionally, they signed Andrew Wylie away from the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. He started at both tackle and guard there, but will likely start at right tackle for Washington.

The team also selected Arkansas’ Ricky Stromberg in the third round as a potential long-term solution in the middle of the offensive line. They added more depth to their offensive line with their fourth-round pick as well, by selecting Braeden Daniels from Utah. He played both tackle and guard in college, but at 294 pounds he will probably be more effective somewhere on the inside of the line.

Fuller next?

With the release of Roullier, is 28-year-old cornerback Kendall Fuller the next in line to be replaced by younger cheaper players? Washington spent their first two draft picks on cornerbacks after all. If Fuller is released in the same fashion as Roullier, it would save the team $8.5 million against the cap.

Unlike Roullier, Fuller has been durable and played in all 17 games last season. Still, with a first round pick in the stable, it’s certainly a possibility. Especially if they need some cap dollars for someone.