The Washington Commanders made a notable addition to their offensive line group by signing offensive tackle Lucas Niang on July 30, 2025, filling the roster spot left open by the unexpected retirement of guard Nate Herbig. Niang, 26, is a prototypical NFL tackle with a commanding presence at 6-foot-6 and 315 pounds. Drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Texas Christian University (TCU), Niang was once seen as a promising young lineman with the potential to be a long-term starter on the blind side.
Niang’s NFL career, however, has been hampered by injuries and inconsistency, limiting his ability to fully showcase his skills. After opting out of his rookie season in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Niang debuted in 2021 and started nine games at right tackle. He earned a respectable 64.6 Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade that year, contributing solidly to a Chiefs team that advanced to the AFC Championship game. Unfortunately, a patellar tendon tear significantly impacted his 2022 season, forcing him onto the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list and robbing him of valuable playing time and development momentum.
In 2023, recurring challenges kept Niang primarily on the sidelines and eventually resulted in the Chiefs releasing him towards the end of last season after spending much time on the practice squad. The Chiefs signed veteran Jawaan Taylor at tackle, pushing Niang out of contention for a starting role. Now with the Commanders, Niang has an opportunity to revive his career and push for a roster spot in a competitive offensive line room that includes promising young tackles such as Josh Conerly Jr. and experienced blockers like Andrew Wylie and Trent Scott. His Chiefs teammate Andrew Wylie previously joined Washington, providing familiarity and a smoother transition for Niang.
Washington’s decision to bring in Niang speaks to their need for depth and versatility along the offensive line, especially after losing Nate Herbig to retirement. Although Herbig competed primarily at guard, Niang’s ability to play tackle and guard gives the Commanders flexibility in shoring up their line, a critical factor given the physical demands and injury risks at these positions. Head coach Ron Rivera and the Commanders’ coaching staff have praised Niang’s physical traits, including his length (34-inch arms), size, and athleticism attributes that fit the NFL prototype for an effective edge protector capable of handling both speed rushers and power defenders.
Statistically, Niang showed promise early in his career, and despite limited snaps after injuries, his foundational skills remain intact. While he may not immediately start, his competition with other backup linemen for a swing tackle role adds valuable depth to Washington’s roster and could help stabilize a line that has needed reinforcements in pass protection and run blocking.
In quotes, while the Commanders have not released lengthy statements, insiders emphasize the team’s hope that Niang’s return to the field will coincide with his full health and consistency. The move is viewed as “a low-risk, high-upside addition,” with coaches optimistic about his potential impact if he can return to his early-career form. Given his pedigree as a two-time Super Bowl champion with Kansas City and familiarity with high-level competition, Niang’s experience alone could provide mentorship to younger linemen on the roster.
In summary, the signing of Lucas Niang by the Washington Commanders represents a strategic attempt to beef up offensive line depth and versatility. Niang’s size, athleticism, and previous NFL starting experience offer a potential boost to Washington’s offensive front. While questions about his durability and consistency remain, the signing could pay dividends if Niang can regain his health and return to the promising trajectory he showed as a young player with the Chiefs. For the Commanders, who are navigating roster transitions and looking to improve offensive line performance in a demanding NFL division, Niang’s acquisition is a welcome development and a player to watch as training camp progresses toward the start of the regular season.
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