Report: The Washington Commanders are not picking up Jamin Davis’s fifth-year option

The expected news

The Washington Commanders have reportedly declined the fifth-year option for LB Jamin Davis. The deadline is May 2nd, and new GM Adam Peters and HC Dan Quinn weren’t expected to pick it up as they continue to evaluate and rebuild the roster. Davis would have made a fully guaranteed $14.483 million if the team had picked up the option, but now he will potentially hit free agency after the season.

Jamin Davis was the #19 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft. That was Ron Rivera’s second season as head coach in Washington. The Davis pick was seen as a reach by many at the time, and his slow start in the league fueled that criticism. Rivera was also criticized for taking Davis of OT Christian Darrisaw, who was selected by the Minnesota Vikings four picks later.

Davis has improved every year he’s been in the league, but has also been involved in off-field infractions with the law that almost saw him receive jail time for reckless driving. Davis has been Washington’s best linebacker, but the Commanders also seriously neglected the linebacker position under former LBs Rivera and Jack Del Rio.

The Washington Commanders added four linebackers via free agency, including Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner. Davis will get this year to show what kind of deal he’s worth to Washington, or the rest of the teams in the NFL.