The Washington Football Team is reportedly moving on from right tackle Morgan Moses. The team has granted Moses’ agent permission to seek a trade.
It appears money is at the heart of the change in direction. Moses has two years remaining on his five-year, $38.5 million deal, however, with no guaranteed money left.
Still, moving on from Moses is surprising considering he is certainly Washington’s best offensive tackle. Also he is one of the team’s vocal leaders. However, Washington has a surplus at tackle and a plan moving forward it appears.
Last week, Washington signed former Chicago Bears left tackle Charles Leno Jr. And while head coach Ron Rivera may have not tipped his hand, Leno was brought in to start at left tackle, according to John Keim of ESPN.
Meanwhile, Washington drafted Samuel Cosmi out of Texas in the second round of this year’s draft. The team doesn’t plan on having him sit during the 2021 season. That would suggest with Leno at left tackle, Cosmi will compete to be the starting right tackle following Moses’ pending departure.
Cosmi will likely get the most competition from Cornelius Lucas for starting right tackle. Lucas signed with Washington in 2020 to be the swing tackle, but started eight games at left tackle last season due to injuries.
Washington also has Saahdiq Charles, a fourth-round pick in 2020. He played left tackle in college at LSU and was drafted with intentions of him playing that position. But, injuries halted him in training camp and early in the season and when he became healthy, he was plugged at left guard.
Unfortunately, his rookie season lasted two plays as he suffered a season-ending knee injury in his NFL debut. But he is expected to be back in 2021. Does he play guard or tackle? Last month Rivera said it’s “up in the air” where Charles plays.
Where does Geron Christian fit? Christian was Day 2 draft pick from the Jay Gruden regime. But, he started at left tackle the first six weeks of the 2020 season before he suffered a season-ending knee injury. On paper, the others are likely slotted ahead him.
Nonetheless, it’s clear Washington has options moving forward with life after Morgan Moses, particularly in 2021. Cosmi will get the chance to learn a less pressured position as a rookie and either cement himself at right tackle or move to left in the future.
Leno is considered an immediate upgrade over Washington’s left tackle options already on the roster. Meanwhile, Moses will move on and get an opportunity to possibly get the new contract he may be seeking elsewhere.
