On Monday, the Washington Commanders released a defensive end in a move that will leave many fans scratching their heads in confusion. The Commanders announced the release days after the NFL reinstated the player from suspension.
The Washington Commanders front office is on a streak
The Commanders front office has made a few puzzling decisions this offseason. A top quarterback prospect in this year’s draft, Jayden Daniels, reportedly was unhappy with how the Commanders handled his pre-draft visit last week. One has to wonder if Daniels and his agent, Ron Butler, are impressed by how the front office dealt with a transaction during the previous season.
As previously discussed on GH, the NFL reinstated defensive end Shaka Toney last week:
Toney and a few other NFL players were suspended last offseason in relation to sports betting. Toney was the only player suspended for gambling last season that was not released by their team.
According to Tom Pelissero with the NFL Network, the league reinstated Toney from his suspension on Thursday. He is free to join a Commanders team that could use the depth at pass rusher.
That freedom didn’t last long.
The Commanders released Shaka Toney
According to a statement by the Commanders, the team released Toney.
We have released DE Shaka Toney
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) April 22, 2024
Unlike what the Detroit Lions did with their suspended players, the Commanders kept Toney on their roster during the 2023 season. They waited until his reinstatement to make the cut. It was an odd move to keep him on the reserve list and then cut him as soon as he was able to rejoin the team this spring.
Commanders fans’ initial reactions to the cut
Here are the best takes on fans’ reactions to Toney’s release.
Blowing the chance of being a professional because of gambling is the worst.
— vinh hoang (@vinhhoang1) April 22, 2024
Maybe another team will take a gamble on him
— Joel (@joelgoldstein75) April 22, 2024
Yo, there is no way they waited for this man to get reinstated to release him😂😂😂
— just x (@XzavierBlackmo1) April 22, 2024
this is a mistake
— obvlon (@obvlon) April 22, 2024
Shaka Toney in the Commanders facilities pic.twitter.com/vCeJjNzLS2
— The Owl (@TheOwl_LOB) April 22, 2024
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