This probably wasn't what Phidarian Mathis had in mind.
The Washington Commanders had to sacrifice someone to make room for the returning defensive tackle and team leader Jonathan Allen before Week 17 against the Atlanta Falcons. It came as no surprise to see general manager Adam Peters dispose of another high-end draft bust from Ron Rivera's tenure.
Phidarian Mathis was a popular figure within the locker room. Unfortunately for the defensive tackle, his injury issues and poor performances made him surplus to requirements. The Commanders placed him on waivers, giving teams around the league a couple of days over the weekend to determine whether he'd be worth bringing into the fold.
The Washington Commanders had to sacrifice someone to make room for the returning defensive tackle and team leader Jonathan Allen before Week 17 against the Atlanta Falcons. It came as no surprise to see general manager Adam Peters dispose of another high-end draft bust from Ron Rivera's tenure.
Phidarian Mathis was a popular figure within the locker room. Unfortunately for the defensive tackle, his injury issues and poor performances made him surplus to requirements. The Commanders placed him on waivers, giving teams around the league a couple of days over the weekend to determine whether he'd be worth bringing into the fold.
Ian Rapoport from the NFL Network suggested Mathis could be an option for a contending team looking to bolster depth for the stretch run. That was probably what the former second-round selection was hoping for. It turned out to be anything but.
Interest in Mathis was reportedly high. Several waiver claims went in for the Alabama product. The Houston Texans, Cincinnati Bengals, and Detroit Lions wanted to secure his services. They didn't have a lofty enough status to achieve their objective.
Phidarian Mathis goes from the Commanders to the NY Jets
Mathis was scooped off the waiver wire by the New York Jets. This takes the player from an ascending playoff hopeful to a team that's become the beacon for dysfunction in 2024. It's gone from bad to worse for the Commanders' cast-off.
The Jets had high expectations on their shoulders this season. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers' return from a torn Achilles and their outstanding young pieces on both sides of the football had many in the media anticipating a Super Bowl run. To say they didn't meet these heights would be an understatement.
Rodgers struggled to find his previous form. Rumors of locker room dissension led to head coach Robert Saleh being fired. A scathing exposé on owner Woody Johnson turned the Jets into a laughingstock. They have accumulated just four wins this season and were embarrassed by the Buffalo Bills during their last outing in Week 17.
This sort of atmosphere is something Mathis has experience with. He spent two years under Dan Snyder and Rivera in Washington. He'll be well-versed in how to ignore the outside noise and keep focused on the task at hand. That, of course, is silencing the doubters in the hope of carving out a successful career for himself.
There will be a familiar face awaiting Mathis' arrival. The player formed a highly productive partnership with Quinnen Williams during his college career with the Crimson Tide. They remain good friends, which is something the Jets hope can rekindle some magic and give their defensive front another shot in the arm.
Mathis needs to make the best of a bad situation. Landing on the Lions would have been nice. He'd have got decent playing time too considering their injury problems. Although disappointing, he must seize this second chance and prove he's not a lost cause just yet.
Whether he can overcome adversity after landing with another perennial struggler remains to be seen. We wish him well.
