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2022 Washington Free Agency Journal

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The Washington Football Team is reloading for the 2022 season, starting with free agency.

New talent from around the league will be brought in and some familiar faces will return. Here's the list of those who have reportedly agreed to terms.

Stay up to the minute with all the reports, and be sure to check back with Washingtonfootball.com and the Washington Football Team app for continuing 2022 free agency coverage.

Also, be sure to follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Players joining the roster:

G Andrew Norwell

The Washington Commanders and veteran offensive lineman Andrew Norwell have reportedly agreed to terms, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Norwell, 30, will join his third team after spending the last four seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He's appeared in 112 games with 111 starts, and he has one First Team All-Pro season.

Norwell has been a reliable mainstay of any offensive line he's been part of since he was signed by the Carolina Panthers in 2014 out of Ohio State as an undrafted free agent. He has excelled as a pass blocker, posting a grade of at least 70 in the area every season. In 2021, he was 13th among all guards as a pass-blocker, according to PFF, and he also received the highest overall grade for a Jaguars offensive lineman.

Players reportedly retained in free agency:

C Tyler Larsen

Larsen is reportedly expected to sign a one-year deal with Washington, and after Chase Roullier was ruled out for the season, Larsen became the starting center and played well in three games. Larsen was sidelined during the Week 11 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks and appeared in one game for the rest of the season.

CB Troy Apke

Apke played all 17 games in 2017 but was used almost exclusively on special teams. He finished the year with six tackles and one fumble recovery.

K Brian Johnson

Johnson has been tendered by the Commanders, according to The Washington Post's Nicki Jhabvala, which ensures he will remain in Washington.

Signed after Joey Slye was placed on Injured Reserve, Johnson appeared in three games, and while he was only a temporary solution, he was reliable in the role. He hit both of his field goals four of his five extra points. He also had four touchbacks on 12 kickoff attempts.

Johnson is an exclusive right free agent, meaning he is a player with an expired contract who has accrued fewer than three seasons. As long as Washington offers these players one-year contracts at the league minimum (based on their credited seasons), they cannot negotiate with other teams.

S Bobby McCain

Bobby McCain is reportedly coming back to Washington on a two-year deal, per multiple national insiders.

McCain made the most of his time in Washington and quickly established himself as a starter on the Commanders' defense. He led the team with four interceptions, two of which came in the season finale against the New York Giants. He recorded a career-high 63 tackles and did not miss a game.

WR Cam Sims

A fan favorite who has carved out a role for himself over the past two seasons is reportedly expected tor return to Washington, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Sim, who was an undrafted free agent in 2018, became a valued piece of Washington's receiving corps in the new coaching regime. Over the past two seasons, Sims has amassed 47 receptions for 688 yards and three touchdowns. He caught at least 65% of his targets in that span as well. He was mostly a practice squad player prior to the 2020 season, but he quickly became "the glue" of the receiving corps, according to wide receivers coach Drew Terrell.

RB J.D. McKissic

After initial reports indicated that he would be joining the Buffalo Bills, McKissic has reported agreed to remain in Washington, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

McKissic signed with Washington in 2020 and became one of the best pass-catching running backs in the league. He has 1,563 scrimmage yards over the past two seasons, 986 of which have come as a receiver. McKissic missed the final six games of the 2021 season and ended the year on Injured Reserve.

Having McKissic back would be a provide a tremendous boost for Washington's offense. Not only would it allow its backfield to remain intact, but it also gives new quarterback Carson Wentz another target.

Multiple tender announcements

The Commanders have announced that kicker Joey Slye, defensive end Bunmi Rotimi and center Keith Ismael have been tendered. Check out the full announcement, HERE.

Players reportedly departing from Washington:

G Brandon Scherff

After spending the first seven years of his career with the Washington franchise, Scherff is reportedly agreeing to termssig with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Scherff, a first-round pick in started in 2015, started in every game he played for Washington and was voted to five Pro Bowls, the most recent being in the 2021 campaign.

DT Tim Settle

Tim Settle is reportedly heading to the AFC East after agreeing to terms with the Buffalo Bills, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Settle has been a core backup on Washington's defensive line for the last four seasons and has occasionally had success as a pass-rusher. Though he did not record any sacks in 2021, he has seven in his career, five of which came in 2020.

TE Ricky Seals-Jones

After one season in Washington, Ricky Seals-Jones is intending to sign with the Giants, according to multiple reports.

Seals-Jones didn't take long to make an impact on his new team, as he caught an impressive touchdown on Thursday Night Football against the Giants. Once Logan Thomas was sidelined with injury, Seals-Jones slid in as the primary option at the position and made 30 catches for 271 yards.

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