The Washington Commanders faced challenges on their offensive line during the previous season, particularly with Sam Howell, their rookie starter, being under constant pressure and sacked 65 times, which was the second-highest in the league. Although there were occasional improvements, Howell often found himself vulnerable due to inadequate protection from the offensive line. As the Commanders head into free agency, they have the opportunity to address this issue. ESPN has identified Jonah Jackson, the starting left guard for the Detroit Lions, as a potential solution. According to ESPN, Jackson’s exceptional performance in pass blocking, with a 93.2% win rate last season, could significantly improve Washington’s left guard position. However, securing Jackson’s services won’t come cheap, as he’s expected to command a contract upwards of $15 million per year. The decision to invest in Jackson raises questions about Washington’s willingness to allocate such a large sum for a guard. Nonetheless, given the importance of protecting a potential new quarterback, especially considering the fate of young quarterbacks like Andrew Luck when playing behind poor offensive lines, investing in a quality lineman like Jackson could be a prudent move. The Commanders have ample cap space for significant deals in free agency, but they must be cautious not to overspend unnecessarily. Jackson presents a valuable option for Kliff Kingsbury’s offensive scheme, and although investing more in a lineman may seem excessive, it could ultimately benefit the franchise by safeguarding their quarterback investment. After all, a quarterback’s performance is severely hindered if they are constantly under pressure.
