Washington Commanders safety Kamren Curl has played exceptionally well through his first three seasons. He’s become a leader of Washington’s defense. He also is arguably the team’s most versatile defender with his ability to line up as a safety, slot corner, and linebacker as a buffalo nickel.
Curl’s performance on the field has exceeded his draft value as a seventh-round pick. Which brings up his contract situation. The 23-year-old former Arkansas Razorback will enter the final year of his rookie deal in 2023. He’ll make just under $3 million next season thanks to the NFL’s proven performance escalator.
A long-term deal is expected for Curl. The Commanders have garnered a reputation for forcing their players to earn their payday through their final year under contract. However, Curl’s father doesn’t appear fond of his son following the same path as others.
“My opinion and my opinion only, but I will find it extremely disappointing and disrespectful if Washington asks #31 to play at the level he plays under a 7th-round rookie contract this year!!!,” Greg Curl tweeted.
As a rookie in 2020, Kamren Curl played in all 16 games, starting 11, and recorded 88 tackles and three interceptions. In 2021, Curl appeared in 16 games with 14 starts. He showcased his versatility at Buffalo Nickel while accumulating 99 tackles. Last season, he had 83 tackles, and one sack in 12 games before an ankle injury ended his season.
Curl expects to play primarily at safety alongside another emerging late-round draft pick Darrick Forrest. The pair is one of the more underrated young safety duos in the NFL. Curl should be a fixture on Washington’s defense for the foreseeable future. However, the team prefers to cook slowly with contract extensions.
Curl needs to be a priority. Yet, the team also has to address others’ contracts. Washington’s talented defensive end Montez Sweat will enter next season on an $11.5 million fifth-year option to his rookie deal. Sweat is not expected to get an extension through the season.
That’s the same path as defensive tackle Daron Payne had to follow before becoming the second-highest-paid defensive tackle in NFL history with a four-year, $90 million extension.
The Commanders must also decide on fellow defensive end Chase Young’s fifth-year option for 2024. If Washington chose to decline his fifth-year option, Young could join Curl and Sweat as unrestricted free agents next year.
The Commanders’ ownership situation could also hamper Curl from getting an extension before the start of next season. The team expects to be sold soon, May at the earliest.
While Payne got a new deal, he faced being a free agent. Curl is under contract for another year. Having Curl play out the year before trying to reach an extension may be best for the Commanders strategically. There’s always the franchise tag. Keep in mind, the franchise tag value for safety is currently the least among all defensive positions.
Certainly, that’s not what Curl’s father wants. Washington does have a habit of giving extensions in the summer ahead of training camp. They did so with defensive tackle Jonathan Allen in 2021, and wide receiver Terry McLaurin in 2022. Aside from ownership, Curl’s extension could be the most intriguing Commanders’ storyline heading into the 2023 off-season activities.
