Five Biggest Free Agency Moves: Washington Redskins
With free agency now into its fourth week as April’s Draft draws closer, it’s time to start reviewing which teams filled some needs and who got weaker. Here are the five biggest free agency moves for each team so far.
After a couple of positive years, the Washington Redskins are once again the most dysfunctional team in the league. General manager Scott McLoughlan was fired shortly after the Combine as a result of a rumoured power struggle with team president Bruce Allen, who takes over the general manager role. Here are Washington’s five biggest free agency moves:
1 — Franchising Kirk Cousins
The Redskins spent years looking for a good quarterback. But now that they have one, they don’t seem to want to commit to him. Washington is still reluctant to sign Kirk Cousins to a long-term deal, even if it’s the best thing for the team. Cousins will earn $23.94 million this season after being franchise tagged for the second consecutive year, and could leave Washington next off-season. But with both Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson gone, Cousins will have to have a career year to get the Redskins back to the playoffs.
2 — Signing Terrelle Pryor
After switching from quarterback to wide receiver, Terrelle Pryor had a breakout year for the Browns last season, with 77 receptions for 1007 yards and four touchdowns. Pryor reportedly turned down more money and a long-term contract with Cleveland, opting instead to sign a one year prove-it deal with the Redskins for $8 million. Pryor will have the benefit of a stable quarterback situation (for now) in Washington, and gives Cousins a much-needed target after the departures of Garcon and Jackson. If Pryor has another big year, he can chase a more lucrative multi-year deal next season.
3 — Addressing the defensive line
The Redskins struggled defensively last season and allowed several starters to leave in free agency and released others. New defensive coordinator Greg Manusky is effectively starting from scratch. To replace lost snaps, Washington signed former Cowboys defensive tackle Terrell McClain to a four year, $21 million contract and former Raider Stacy McGee to a five year, $25 million deal. McClain started 15 games for Dallas last season with 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles while McGee, mostly a rotational player in Oakland, had another 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in nine games.
4 — Re-signing Vernon Davis
At least one of Cousins’ targets from last year returns as Davis signed a three year, $15 million deal to remain in Washington. Davis had 44 receptions for 583 yards and two touchdowns last season, and is a savvy veteran who is also a good blocker.
5 — Signing D.J. Swearinger
The Redskins needed safety depth after injuries to Su’a Cravens. Swearinger started 12 games for the Cardinals last season, with two sacks, eight pass breakups, and three interceptions. The hard-hitting veteran signed a three year, $13.5 million deal.
