Lawrence Cager

Career StatsD-

Year	Team	GP	Rec	Yards	TD
Career		20	19	189	2
2025		1	—	—	—
2023		11	4	36	1
2022		7

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Washington struck solid value with Lawrence Cager's one-year, $1.1M deal, earning a B+ CVI that reflects smart depth management at tight end. While Cager profiles as a depth piece rather than a weekly starter, his modest salary aligns perfectly with his production tier — the Commanders aren't overpaying for upside they're unlikely to see, but they're securing reliable insurance at one of the league's most injury-prone positions. The short-term structure carries minimal risk for Washington while giving Cager a chance to prove he deserves a more substantial role in 2025. At just over the veteran minimum, this contract represents the type of shrewd roster building that allows teams to allocate resources toward impact players while maintaining competent depth. The Commanders get a known commodity who can contribute on special teams and step into offensive packages when needed, all while preserving financial flexibility for bigger moves.

Performance Analysis

Lawrence Cager is a four-year veteran tight end currently on the Washington Commanders' roster, an undrafted free agent who has carved out a fringe roster existence through special teams utility and developmental upside rather than any sustained offensive contribution. The durability picture tells the story most clearly — in four NFL seasons, Cager has appeared in just 20 career games, a figure that places him firmly in developing-player territory and raises legitimate questions about his ability to hold a roster spot when the injury attrition that defines the position inevitably creates opportunity. His 19 career receptions for 189 yards represent a modest body of work, reflecting a player who has been more of a practice-squad asset and emergency option than a trusted weapon in any offensive system. At the tight end position, where blocking reliability, route precision, and availability across a full 17-game slate are the baseline expectations, Cager has yet to demonstrate he can deliver consistently in any of those areas at the NFL level. Washington's depth chart at tight end will determine whether he even survives the summer roster cuts, as the Commanders have shown a willingness to prioritize functional contributors over developmental long shots at a position that demands versatility. Graded out as a D- performer at this stage of his career, Cager is essentially fighting for his professional survival heading into 2024. The path forward is narrow — a strong training camp showing and meaningful special teams impact represent his most realistic avenues to a 53-man roster spot and the longevity his career has so far lacked.

Current Sentiment

Lawrence Cager enters the 2026 season as a depth tight end on the Washington Commanders roster, having secured a modest veteran minimum contract that underscores his role as a practice-squad-caliber contributor rather than a featured offensive weapon. His career receiving totals remain limited, and he has yet to establish himself as a reliable target in the NFL, which keeps broader media attention at a minimum. The most notable recent coverage centers on Washington bringing him back and a late-season practice squad elevation, signaling that the coaching staff values him as a developmental option and emergency depth piece rather than a core roster contributor. Fan perception mirrors the media narrative — Cager is largely viewed as a fringe roster player whose primary value lies in his size and special teams versatility rather than his receiving production. Heading into 2026, his path to a meaningful role will depend heavily on attrition above him on the depth chart and his ability to demonstrate consistent hands and blocking technique during training camp and the preseason.