Jan. 18, 2026, 5:31 a.m. ET

Whatever happened to Phidarian Mathis?

You remember Mathis; Washington Commanders‘ HC/GM Ron Rivera drafted Mathis entirely too early, according to analysts, who expressed their surprise at the second round selection (47 overall) in the 2022 NFL Draft. Keep in mind that was four NFL seasons ago; Washington’s defensive tackles at the time, Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, were four years younger. Did Rivera really think Mathis was that good, that Mathis would soon replace Allen or Payne? Analysts projected Mathis as a third- or fourth-round pick, yet Rivera selected him as early as No. 47.

Before we get to Mathis recently, let’s wrap up that draft reminding each of us that Rivera had announced to the NFL that the Commanders were going quarterback shopping. It essentially told the NFL Washington was desperate, so the Colts seeing the vulnerability of Rivera, made a trade with the Commanders. The Colts gladly traded Carson Wentz to Washington.

In the “deal” Washington received Wentz, agreeing to swap back with the Colts in the second round from 42 to 47. Washington also received the No. 240 pick in that draft, while the Colts also received picks No. 42 and No. 73 in that draft, and the No. 79 pick in 2023. Hey, it could have been even worse, as Rivera agreed to give the Colts Washington’s second-round 2023 choice if Wentz played 70 percent of the 2022 snaps.

Rivera was ecstatic, grinning from ear to ear. The former owner was overheard to say that he finally had a quarterback. So, when the draft came in April. Rivera drafted Mathis with that No. 47 pick and then CB Christian Holmes with the No. 240 pick. Of course, Wentz didn’t work out too well, and after that one season with Washington in 2022, Wentz was released.

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Mathis? Well, he didn’t work out too well either, playing in 23 regular-season games and being in on only 25 total tackles. Before the 2024 season’s conclusion, Mathis was waived by Washington on December 28. Two days later, the Jets, picked up Mathis. After all, don’t you imagine they were thinking he had been a No. 47 overall pick just three seasons earlier?

However, Mathis failed to make the Jets 53-man roster for 2025, and was released in August. Once the 2025 season began the Bills signed Mathis to their practice squad. Twice he was activated from the practice squad but then returned each time. Then Mathis actually played in the final three regular season games, getting in on 4, 2 and 4 tackles.

In the Bills’ playoff win over the Jaguars, Mathis only saw action on six defensive snaps, recorded no statistic, and was declared inactive by the Bills for their playoff road game in Denver, which they lost in overtime to the Broncos.

As Commanders fans, you should not hold anything against Mathis, himself. It is not his fault that he was drafted No. 47 overall in 2022.