The Washington Redskins made some low-key moves Saturday that will help keep the core of their 10-6 NFC East Division championship team together moving forward.
Washington re-signed five of their seven restricted free agents. Tight End Logan Paulsen was the first to sign a 3 year, $4.1 million deal with a $1 million signing bonus. Paulsen is the team’s top blocking tight end who proved his value last season when Fred Davis went down with a season ending Achilles injury. Paulsen expects the team to bring back the impending unrestricted free agent Fred Davis. “They [Redskins] said they want to bring Fred [Davis] back,” Paulsen told the Washington Times. “Their goal is to have him be the starter.”
Fullback Darrel Young cashed in signing a 3 year deal worth up to $6.2 million and a $1 million signing bonus. Retaining this restricted free agent was crucial, as he’s proven to be one of the league’s top young fullbacks. In a league that’s prominently pass first, Young has gone about his business lead blocking for Washington’s running backs, helping in the receiving game and even toting the rock himself. His presence helped orchestrate the league’s most prolific running game with running back Alfred Morris.
Linebacker Rob Jackson signed a 1 year deal (terms unknown) after filling in for leading pass rusher Brian Orakpo who suffered a season ending pectoral injury early in the season. Jackson did a fine job replacing Orakpo, especially in pass coverage. His return helps keep depth in the defense’s front 7.
Washington made it a point to help keep QB Robert Griffin III’s body-guards in tack by re-signing Kory Lichtensteiger late Saturday night. The left guard signed a 5 year deal (terms unknown) that reportedly will not void after two seasons. Therefore, keeping him a Redskin for the foreseeable future.
UPDATE:
- Long Snapper Nick Sundberg agreed to terms on a 4 year contract Sunday.
- Nose Tackle Chris Baker was tendered Monday to a 1 year $1.3 million “right-of-first-refusal deal which allows him to still talk to other teams and go elsewhere if he receives a larger deal.
- Brandon Banks will not be tendered or re-signed as a restricted free agent. Therefore, he will become an unrestricted free agent on Tuesday. The Redskins are allowing him to walk.
The team has been in contract negotiations with impending unrestricted free agent Lorenzo Alexander. At one point Saturday afternoon both sides made major progress compared to where they were earlier in the week. But the “One Man Gang” has received interest from several teams who may offer him more than the Redskins. Lorenzo wants to be in Washington and would even give the team a discount. However, coming off a Pro Bowl season and looking at all the adjustments/sacrifices he’s made positional-wise for the football team — Lorenzo can’t give too big of a discount. So the team has to come up with something that would satisfy both sides. Reports circulated last night about it being “un-likely” for Lorenzo to re-sign with the team. After speaking to his agent shortly after those reports came out — I would say that’s a little premature as both sides still have until March 12th at 4 p.m. to strike a deal. They will continue hashing out a deal before that deadline.
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