The Washington Commanders have moved on from a defensive player who started every game he appeared in last season. Safety Will Harris was released as part of a wider series of changes made before the final roster deadline. His departure shows how quickly recent playing time can lose its value when an NFL squad is being rebuilt.
Harris loses his place
According to NBC Sports reporter Josh Alper, Harris started all nine of his appearances for Washington in 2025. He finished the campaign with 38 tackles, one sack and a forced fumble. Those numbers made his release more notable than the departure of a player who had only occupied a reserve role.
Harris originally entered the NFL as a third round draft pick of the Detroit Lions in 2019. He brought experience at both safety and cornerback when Washington signed him, but was unable to secure a place in the club’s plans for another season. The 30 year old now becomes available to the rest of the league shortly before opening weekend.
Washington also released safety Malik Spencer and placed defensive end Drake Jackson on the Reserve/Injured list. Jackson was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round of the 2022 draft and appeared in three games for Washington. The combined decisions created room for three new defensive additions.
Read also: Rosberg backs Mercedes swap: 'It was fair play'
Three replacements arrive
The complete list of transactions was confirmed by Commanders senior writer Zach Selby. Washington signed outside linebacker Boogie Basham together with safeties Joshuah Bledsoe and Quindell Johnson. The moves immediately changed the competition for places across the defensive unit.
Basham has appeared in 43 NFL games since Buffalo selected him in the second round in 2021. He has also represented the New York Giants and Carolina Panthers, recording 20 tackles and a pass deflection during his time in New York. His experience gives Washington another option on the edge after Jackson was moved to the injury list.
Bledsoe spent two seasons with the New England Patriots, while Johnson has been attached to several NFL and United Football League teams. Both will now compete for snaps in the position group Harris and Spencer have left. Their special teams value could be particularly important when Washington decides which players survive the final reduction.
Past starts offer no protection
Harris’ departure does not necessarily mean that Washington considers him incapable of contributing elsewhere. Final roster decisions are shaped by age, salary, positional balance and special teams roles as much as previous starts. The Commanders have made it clear that last season’s status will not guarantee anyone a place in the team they are building now.
Read also: LeBron opens the door to a new sporting world
Read also: Barcelona face UEFA complaint after controversial Cyprus move
