Commanders need to get ready to kiss one of their top free agents goodbye after his teammate leaves for another team
On Sunday evening, Washington Commanders pass rusher Dante Fowler Jr. tweeted "The disrespect… I can't take it anymore". His teammate, wideout Dyami Brown, subsequently retweeted it with an exclamation point emoji.Less than 24 hours later, Brown agreed to a one-year deal worth $10 million with the Jacksonville Jaguars. So, it's all but certain that Fowler […]
On Sunday evening, Washington Commanders pass rusher Dante Fowler Jr. tweeted "The disrespect… I can't take it anymore". His teammate, wideout Dyami Brown, subsequently retweeted it with an exclamation point emoji.
Less than 24 hours later, Brown agreed to a one-year deal worth $10 million with the Jacksonville Jaguars. So, it's all but certain that Fowler Jr. is one his way out, as well.
Fowler had one of the best seasons of his career with Washington in 2024. He finished with the second-most sacks in a single season (10.5), which also happened to be the most he's recorded since he set his career-best back with 11.5 as member of the Los Angeles Rams in 2019. He also recorded the first interception of his career, which happened to be a pick-six, and finished with the second-most tackles for loss, QB hits, forced fumbles, and total tackles in a single season.
So, it's easy to see why he's looking to max out his payday, especially when considering the fact he turns 31 during the regular season. This is very likely his last chance at inking a solid contract and he's making sure he makes the best of the situation.
The problem with Fowler Jr.'s 2024 season is the same issue that's followed him throughout his career: consistency. 8.5 of his 10.5 sacks were logged in the first 10 weeks of the season and things really dropped off from there.
From Week 11-18, or over the final seven games of the year, Fowler recorded just 2.0 sacks and his pressure rate against true pass sets plummeted to 9.2%. His win rate barely improved to 14.3%, but once the splash plays went away his PRP plummeted to a second-worst 6.5% among qualifying EDGE rushers with at least 166 pass rush snaps over those weeks. Things didn't get any better during the playoffs, either, as he finished with just six pressures and zero sacks over the course of 46 pass rush snaps.
He's gone over 10.0 sacks just twice in his career and isn't very good against the run. Overall, Fowler Jr. still has the athleticism and bend to get to opposing quarterbacks, but he also needs help from those around him and the scheme he's in.
We'll see what happens, but it looks as if Fowler Jr. is all but out the door as the Commanders navigate their way through free agency.
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