Commanders P Tress Way (pectoral) to miss start of camp

Way made his third Pro Bowl this past year and allowed a career-low 114 return yards. Entering his age-36 season, he’s been with the Commanders since 2014.

Medrano’s (6'3/222) 4.46-second 40-yard dash made him the Combine’s fastest linebacker, and he demonstrated elite overall athleticism (9.83 RAS) throughout the testing process. The 24-year-old Medrano was a two-year starter in Westwood. Although Medrano (6’3/222) is primarily a box defender, he also served as a part-time EDGE rusher and slot-coverage defender, tallying 22 quarterback pressures, three sacks, four forced incompletions and two interceptions. He gets downhill quickly in run defense but can be bullied by blockers and powerful ball carriers. His 27 missed tackles in 2024 were a positional high in the Power Five. He posted career bests in both solo tackles (63) and TFLs (14) last year. Medrano is perhaps best suited to a strong safety role while operating as a special teams fixture.

A two-time Pro Bowler who has spent his entire career with the Commanders, Way wasn’t nearly as busy in 2024 as he had been in previous seasons, thanks in part to Jayden Daniels and Kliff Kingsbury orchestrating drives that led to scores instead of punts. Way punted 50 times on the year — the second lowest total of his career, while averaging 42.9 net yards per punt. A well-respected player in the organization, Way, 34, will likely continue to see one-year deals as long as he continues to play.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports the deal is worth over $15 million and should be finalized Monday. Way has had an impressive 2019, earning his first Pro Bowl nod on the strength of his league-leading 49.2 yards-per-punt average. The former Oklahoma Sooner has been a Redskin since 2014.

Podlesh signed a five-year, $10 million contract in 2011 but got off to a slow start after suffering a hip flexor injury last season. Way has a bigger leg than Podlesh, and if he can improve with his consistency he’ll provide the Bears with a cheaper, younger option. The battle for the job will likely continue into preseason.

Way was a restricted free agent. He’s been Washington’s punter the last two seasons, averaging 46.8 yards. 25-year-old Way is now signed through 2020.