Commanders Ex Turner Signing Soon?

Former Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook is probably the most intriguing remaining free agent, but veteran right guard Trai Turner -- who spent the 2022 season with the Washington Commanders -- isn't far down the list in terms of those still on the market. 

Bleacher Report listed Turner as one of the five most underrated unsigned players left in free agency.

"Turner should still have some good years ahead if he lands in a spot that can maximize his talents," Bleacher Report writes. "The guard turned 30 in June and has logged 7,713 offensive snaps, meaning he's been on the field for far fewer plays than many of his fellow offensive linemen who have been consistently starting in the NFL over the last decade. While injuries have hindered Turner's availability in the past, he's only missed one week with an ailment since the start of 2020.

"Any team still looking for a proven guard could do far worse than coming to terms with Turner on a budget contract. He's still got what it takes to be a high-end backup and spot starter at worst."

A third-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers, Turner made the Pro Bowl for five consecutive seasons from 2015-2019. Of course, Turner's coach for the bulk of his time in Carolina was Ron Rivera. So after he spent the 2020 season with the Los Angeles Chargers and 2021 with the Pittsburgh Steelers, it wasn't especially surprising to see Turner reunite with Rivera in Washington in 2022 on a one-year deal. Turner would ultimately start in 12 of the 16 games that he appeared in with the Commanders. 

While the Commanders are hardly expected to have an elite offensive line in 2023, there's no evidence that they are considering a reunion with Turner. Sam Cosmi is expected to kick in from right tackle after the Commanders inked former Kansas City Chiefs right tackle Andrew Wylie to a three-year, $24 million deal in free agency this offseason. 

Still, whether it's an injury or underperformance from a young player being given an opportunity in training camp, it feels pretty likely that Turner will be on a roster before Week 1.