Update: Commanders release DL Matt Ioannidis; signs 1-year deal with Panthers

Update: Ioannidis signs 1-year, $5.9 million deal with the Panthers

Matt Ioannidis reunites with his former college coach, Matt Rhule, whom he played for at Temple University. The defensive lineman would have cost the Commanders $8.38m in cap space in 2022, and the team saved $6.88m by cutting him.

Because he was released by the team, this signing has no impact at all on compensatory picks.

Update: Ioannidis’s agent is not happy with how his client’s time in Washington ended

INITIAL REPORT:

There have been multiple reports on Twitter that veteran defensive lineman Matt Ioannidis will be released today by the Washington Commanders. Ioannidis was drafted by Washington in the 5th round of the 2016 draft out of Temple University, and he quickly became a fan favorite as the team’s best interior pass rusher.

A pectoral injury in Week 3 of the 2020 season cost Ioannidis 13 games, and when he returned in 2021 his on field play didn’t seem to match his pre-injury production.

The 6-year veteran was entering the final year of his contract with Washington, and there had been speculation all offseason that he might be traded or released; however, the news is surprising for two reasons. First is that the team is releasing him instead of trading him. More surprising is that the team is cutting #98 after reportedly losing Tim Settle to the Buffalo Bills, leaving the defensive line group much thinner than it has been for the past few seasons, though John Keim reports that the team did make an effort to retain Settle.

The key players currently on the roster who are likely to step up to fill the gap left by Ioannidis’ departure are James Smith-WIlliams and Daniel Wise.

The move will save the Commanders $6.88m in cap space.

Updated depth chart