Commanders releasing Ereck Flowers, Matt Ioannidis to clear cap space

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The Washington Commanders are releasing starting left guard Ereck Flowers and defensive lineman Matt Ioannidis, surprising moves made to create salary cap space in the aftermath of acquiring quarterback Carson Wentz.

Flowers' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, and Ioannidis' agent, Alan Herman, confirmed the respective release of his client. Cutting Flowers and Ioannidis saves almost $17 million against the salary cap in 2022, but opens holes on the offensive and defensive lines.

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Flowers started 16 games last season in his second tenure in Washington. The No. 9 pick in 2015 stabilized his career after a move from tackle to guard in his first stop with the team, which now has to fill each guard spot after 2020 All-Pro Brandon Scherff left to sign with Jacksonville.

Ioannidis had become an important part of Washington’s defensive tackle rotation along with Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne and Tim Settle.

The Commanders already lost Settle to the Buffalo Bills in free agency. On Tuesday, they agreed to re-sign starting safety Bobby McCain for $11 million over two years.

FILE - Washington NFL football team defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis (98) looks on during pre-game warm-ups before an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in Landover, Md. The Washington Commanders are releasing defensive lineman Matt Ioannidis, a surprising move made to create salary cap in the aftermath of acquiring quarterback Carson Wentz. Agent Alan Herman confirmed Ioannidis' release to The Associated Press on Wednesday, March 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams, File)

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