With the Washington Commanders selecting Arkansas center Ricky Stromberg in the 2023 NFL Draft and signing signed former New York Giants center Nick Gates, there were bound to be more changes at the position down the pipeline. The next move revealed itself when the Commanders released longtime center Chase Roullier after six seasons.
Roullier was selected by the Washington Football Team in the seventh round of the 2017 Draft. He played in 13 games as a rookie, starting seven at center while missing three due to a hand injury. He continued to improve in his second year, starting in all 16 games and helping Washington win the NFC East division title in 2018.
In 2021, Roullier signed a four-year contract extension worth $40.5 million. He played in 13 games that season before being placed on injured reserve with a knee injury. Roullier returned last season, but suffered a knee injury on the second-to-last play of a Week 2 loss vs the Lions.
Although Roullier showed enough consistency to receive a contract extension, injuries have reared its ugly head. With the Commanders waiting on Roullier’s MRI results, the team decided it was best to move in another direction. This move will save the team over $8 million in cap space.