The Washington Commanders made a pair of moves on Tuesday that speak to their offseason philosophy: stay young in the secondary, get old and proven up front. They released safety Will Harris, a 29-year-old who started 10 games last season, and reportedly agreed to terms with offensive tackle D.J. Humphries, a 31-year-old Pro Bowler who hasn’t played a down since tearing his ACL in December 2023.
The Harris cut saves roughly $2.5 million against the cap. The Humphries signing, if it goes through, is a one-year flier on a player who was once among the better left tackles in football. Together, they signal a team that believes its young safeties are ready and its offensive line still needs help.
A Safety Cut That Was Always Coming
Will Harris wasn’t a bad player. He was a versatile defensive back who came to Washington in March 2024 on a one-year deal and delivered solid production: 63 tackles, an interception, five passes defended in 15 games. But he was also 29, entering the final year of his contract, and standing in the way of younger, cheaper options.
The Commanders drafted Tyler Owens in the fourth round this year, and they already have Quan Martin (a 2023 second-round pick) and Jeremy Chinn, who signed in free agency last year. That’s three safeties who need reps. Harris was the odd man out. The $2.5 million in cap savings is a bonus, but the real motivation was clearing a path for the kids.
This is what a confident front office looks like. GM Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn aren’t hoarding veterans for the sake of experience. They’re betting on development. Martin, in particular, showed flashes as a rookie and should get every chance to win a starting job next to Chinn.
The Humphries Hail Mary
D.J. Humphries is a different kind of gamble. He’s a former first-round pick (24th overall in 2015) who spent nine seasons in Arizona, made a Pro Bowl in 2021, and then tore his ACL in Week 17 of the 2023 season. The Cardinals released him in March 2024. He spent all of last season rehabbing, not playing. That’s why a 31-year-old with his résumé was still available in mid-June.
The Commanders are betting that a full year of recovery plus a full offseason of training has him close to his old self. If that’s true, they’ve added a starting-caliber left tackle on a one-year deal for what is likely a modest salary. If it’s not true, they’ve lost a little cap space and some practice reps. Low risk, high reward.
Why do they need him? Washington’s offensive line gave up 42 sacks last season. Left tackle Brandon Coleman, a third-round pick in 2024, showed promise but struggled with consistency. The team has already added guard Laken Tomlinson, but tackle remained a question mark. Humphries doesn’t just provide insurance—he provides competition. If Coleman wins the job, Humphries can shift to right tackle or serve as swing depth. If Coleman falters, Humphries is ready to step in and protect Jayden Daniels’ blind side.
The Skeptics Have a Point
It’s easy to romanticize this signing. A former Pro Bowler joining a contender after a year off—it writes itself. But the skeptics aren’t wrong either. Humphries hasn’t played a full season since 2021. He’s had soft-tissue issues throughout his career. And there’s a reason every other team passed on him for months: they weren’t convinced his knee would hold up.
Cutting Harris also carries a cost. He was a veteran presence in a secondary that lost Kamren Curl last offseason. Now the Commanders are relying on Chinn, Martin, and Owens—all of whom have something to prove. That’s fine if they’re ready. It’s a risk if they’re not.
But the Commanders have earned some benefit of the doubt. They reached the NFC Championship Game last year with a rookie quarterback and a first-year head coach. They’ve been aggressive this offseason, adding Deebo Samuel, Laken Tomlinson, and Dante Fowler Jr. They’re clearly in win-now mode. A one-year flier on a tackle with Pro Bowl pedigree fits that mentality perfectly.
What It All Means
These moves are about roster construction, not just individual talent. The Commanders are getting younger at safety because they believe in their draft picks. They’re getting older at tackle because they know they have a Super Bowl window open now, and they can’t afford to let a shaky offensive line ruin it.
If Humphries works out, this will be remembered as a savvy move by a front office that knows how to find value. If he doesn’t, it’s a one-year blip. Either way, it’s a bet worth making.
The Commanders’ Tuesday moves are a snapshot of their offseason strategy: trust the young players in the secondary, and don’t be afraid to take a chance on a proven veteran up front. Cutting Will Harris clears the way for Quan Martin and Tyler Owens. Signing D.J. Humphries gives Jayden Daniels a potential protector. One move is about the future. The other is about the present. Both make sense.
Summary
- The Commanders released safety Will Harris, saving $2.5 million in cap space.
- They reportedly signed offensive tackle D.J. Humphries to a one-year deal.
- Harris was cut to make room for younger safeties like Quan Martin and Tyler Owens.
- Humphries, a 2021 Pro Bowler, hasn’t played since tearing his ACL in December 2023.
- The signing adds veteran depth and competition to an offensive line that allowed 42 sacks last season.
FAQ
Q: Why did the Commanders release Will Harris?
A: To free up cap space and give more playing time to younger safeties like Quan Martin and fourth-round pick Tyler Owens. Harris was entering the final year of his contract.
Q: What does D.J. Humphries bring to Washington?
A: If healthy, he’s a proven starting left tackle with Pro Bowl experience. He provides insurance and competition for Brandon Coleman, the incumbent starter.
Q: Why was Humphries available in June?
A: He tore his ACL in December 2023, was released by Arizona in March 2024, and spent all of last season rehabbing. Other teams were wary of his health and conditioning.
Q: What’s the risk in signing Humphries?
A: He’s 31, coming off a major knee injury, and hasn’t played a full season since 2021. There’s a chance he’s not the same player.
Q: How does this affect the Commanders’ cap situation?
A: The Harris release saves about $2.5 million. The Humphries deal is for one year, likely at a moderate salary, so the net cap impact is minimal.
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