The Washington Commanders have added another along the defensive line with interior lineman Tim Settle set to return to the organization
The Washington Commanders are now bringing back another familiar name with Tim Settle headed back to the organization.
Reports broke on Monday that the Commanders are bringing back Settle on a three year deal worth $24 million and can reach up to $25.5 million in incentives, adding a familiar piece to a position that also features pieces.
The signing also gives Settle a chance to return closer to home as the Philadelphia, Pa. native played his high school ball at Stonewall Jackson before becoming a star during his three seasons at Virginia Tech, ending his career as a Second-Team All-ACC selection one season after being named an All-Freshman selection by the conference.
Settle began his career with Washington after becoming a fifth round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft where he materialized into a stable piece in the defensive tackle rotation. He finished with just six tackles including five solo as a rookie before picking up his production and registering at least 13 tackles in all eight seasons since. His first career sack came during week four of the 2019 season, his first of two on the season, while he recorded five sacks in 2020 before posting one forced fumble and 13 sacks in 2021, what proved to be his final season during his first stint with the team.
Settle then followed it up with 33 total tackles and two sacks in two seasons with the Bills before recording a career-high 31 total tackles, including doubling his previous career-best with 24 solo tackles, while adding five sacks in his first season with the Houston Texans. He is coming off a 2025 season where he played in 12 games and finished with 15 total tackles and one sack before suffering a foot injury in early December that required season-ending injury.
Capable of playing both nose and defensive tackle, Settle adds another layer of versatility to the defensive line after new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones noted the Commanders will be a multiple defense in 2026.
"I think 3-4, 4-3, they're just numbers, still seven man spacing," Jones said during his introductory press conference. "So I always say it's not how they line up, it's how they wind up. And so you can create that number system in numerous ways."
Settle becomes the latest signing for Washington after the front office already re-signed left tackle Laremy Tunsil and quarterback Marcus Mariota while also signing cornerback Amik Robertson and edge rusher Odafe Oweh on day one of the legal tampering window. Washington has also already re-signed Shy Tuttle, Drake Jackson and Deatrich Wise Jr. as general manager Adam Peters works to trim down the list of over 30 free agents who were initially set to depart with the front office finally able to shore up depth questions across the roster.