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Why did Commanders' Chris Paul not receive big contract?
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- Why did Commanders' Chris Paul not receive big contract?
Why did Commanders' Chris Paul not receive big contract?
So, why did Washington Commanders ' guard, Chris Paul not receive the large contract that was expected?
There had been reports by NFL reporters that Paul, testing the free agency market, was going to receive one of those "He got what?" deals. But it didn't happen. So, once we reached Day 5 of free agency, Paul determined he would return to Washington on a one-year deal.
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"I'm ecstatic that Chris is back," expressed former Redskins tight end Logan Paulsen . "I think he's a great guy for the culture of the team. When Zion Johnson signed that huge contract to go to Cleveland , I was like, Chris is about to get broke off. But I think teams were like, 'Hey man, it was one year of success. Let's maybe (make it) more of a prove it year' in terms of contract value'. I think that's reflected in why he came back to Washington."
Paul entered the season as a backup for Washington. When the Commanders ' offensive line was completely outplayed in Week 2 at Green Bay , the coaches, obviously looking at film, decided to make a change, starting Paul in Week 3. Paul then held on to the job, starting the remaining 15 games of the regular season, replacing Brandon Coleman who the Commanders had moved from left tackle to left guard after trading for LT Laremy Tunsil .
What does Paulsen see regarding the level of play from Paul this past season? "I think he's a good player, I think there's still growth for him as a pass protector and a run blocker. I think this new system ( David Blough new OC) which heavily relies on guards, is going to help him because it's going to help with angles. It's going to help with targets. It's going to help him be a little more consistent, let him play a little bit faster."
Paulsen did caution listeners to the "Take Command" podcast episode with his fellow host Grant Paulsen, "I am glad he's back. I don't think he's necessarily the starter Day 1. I would expect there to be a competition between him and Brandon Coleman. I want good players in the building. I think Chris Paul fits that bill."
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Paul was not drafted until the final round of the 2022 draft when he was taken by Washington at No. 230 overall. Playing his college ball at Tulsa, Paul was not a high-ranking guard coming into the draft. In his first three seasons, Paul made the roster and started eight games before breaking into the lineup in 2025. One distinction about Paul is that in his four NFL seasons, he has yet to be called for a holding penalty.
Tunsil made it known he was happy Paul is returning to the Commanders for 2026. "Thank God he didn't go to another team. I know that sounds very selfish of me. But our next step is to continue to build off of last season. Me and Chris developed a d--- good relationship...Outside of football, on a personal level, he's a great guy, a great human. That's also a plus to play next to him and to have him in the locker room with us."
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Why didn't Chris Paul land a big contract?
