The Washington Commanders have been mostly quiet over the past few days, as they finalized their initial 53-man roster and practice squad. After finalizing their roster on Sunday, Washington re-signed 12 players it had just waived or released to the practice squad.
On Tuesday, the Commanders finished filling out their practice squad, signing five players from outside of the organization. Veteran cornerback Isaac Yaidom was the most notable signing, as he could contribute immediately.
While Yiadom and fellow cornerback Terell Smith could prove to be helpful soon, there was one player who could be a steal: offensive tackle Esa Pole.
Pole, a 6-foot-7, 319-pound tackle from Washington State, entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Kansas
City Chiefs in 2025. After being initially waived during last summer’s final cuts, the New York Jets claimed Pole off waivers. He was waived in October, and the Chiefs wasted no time bringing him back, signing him to the practice squad.
Pole was signed to the 53-man roster on Dec. 3, and he made his NFL debut at left tackle the following week. Kansas City’s starting left tackle was injured on the first play, and Pole replaced him. He would then go on to start the final four games at left tackle.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, who knows a thing or two about the offensive line, was a fan of Pole.
“Big guys are hard to find that can move like he does, and he had a decent training camp for us, and he’s a young guy,” Reid said last year, via Chiefs Wire.
Reid had more praise for Pole after his first NFL game.
“So after the game, I mentioned I was proud of him because he had no reps in practice for the most part and then just a couple of fill-in things. I thought he did a nice job for what he was asked to do,” said Reid. “We just picked him back up here, and he again had limited reps and jumps, and I mean, he’s a rookie.” He jumped in and did some pretty good things against what I think is a pretty good football player.”
Pole earned first-team reps for the Chiefs during OTAs, but he was surprisingly waived earlier this week during final cuts. It’s unknown why Kansas City gave up on Pole, but he could prove to be a valuable addition for the Commanders.
He’s a young offensive tackle who has already earned some valuable starting reps. So, if something were to happen to current left tackle Brandon Coleman, the Commanders could elevate Pole to start in a pinch. Even if Laremy Tunsil returns later this year, Washington could have a future swing tackle in Pole, which could allow Coleman to shift back inside.
Pole is not a finished product. He didn’t begin playing organized football until his first year at Chabot College in 2021. He previously played basketball.
As a former basketball player, Pole is light on his feet, which should make him a fit for new offensive coordinator David Blough’s zone-blocking scheme. Even if Pole doesn’t play in a game for the Commanders, it’s absolutely a risk worth taking.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders may have found a steal in former Chiefs' offensive tackle
