NFL star who was banned for gambling is unemployed days after suspension ends

NFL defensive end Shaka Toney has been released by the Washington Commanders.

The former seventh-round pick found himself without a team just days after he was reinstated by the NFL following a gambling suspension.

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The Commanders announced Toney’s release on Monday.

The defensive end, 26, spent three seasons in Washington after being drafted at No. 246 overall in 2021.

He missed the entire 2023 campaign because of his suspension, though.

The NFL indefinitely suspended Toney alongside ex-Detroit Lions stars C.J. Moore and Quintez Cephus for violating the league’s gambling policy in April 2023.

They were said to have bet on NFL games during the 2022 season, the league said at the time.

“A league review uncovered no evidence indicating any inside information was used or that any game was compromised in any way,” per the NFL.

The gambling policy “prohibits anyone in the NFL from engaging in any form of gambling in any club or league facility or venue, including the practice facility.”

Toney made 26 appearances for the Commanders, including one start, during his time with the team.

He logged 16 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and three quarterback hits.

NEW ERA

Meanwhile, the Commanders have made some notable signings in the first full offseason under the new ownership.

Among them are tight end Zach Ertz, running back Austin Ekeler, and linebacker Bobby Wagner.

Washington still has over $40 million in available cap space, per Over the Cap.

And the team heads to the 2024 NFL Draft owning the No. 2 overall pick.

The Commanders are all but certain to get their new franchise quarterback when the first round starts on Thursday, April 25.

They are expected to choose between Jayden McDaniels, Drake Maye, JJ McCarthy, and Michael Penix Jr.

The team invited all four quarterbacks for a pre-draft group outing that included more than 20 prospects last week.

Washington’s strategy to prospect scouting has surprised many in the NFL world with sportscaster Kay Adams likening it to a dating game.

“Why are we doing this Bachelor style… Like who gets the rose? Who gets the date? Who’s going to the fantasy suite? Who’s advancing?” she said on Up & Adams last week.

“It’s an interesting approach to have. It’s like a dating game – to have everybody there as a way to see the players interact?

“It’s this new way of thinking, of course, with the new leadership and the new way with what’s going on with the Commanders.

“I’m obsessed with it, why do it this way? Why haven’t we always done it this way? Is this not more efficient?

“You get your time you get to, you know, it’s a controlled situation where the front office and the decision-makers are all feeling the same way on that specific day.

“So it’s like an experiment. I don’t know why more people don’t do this. Why we haven’t done this all along?

“But that was sort of an interesting little wrinkle.”