Washington Redskins Get Bargain Bin Deal In Ty Nsekhe’s Re-Signing

Aug 19, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins tackle Ty Nsekhe (79) prepares to block against the New York Jets during the first half at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 19, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins tackle Ty Nsekhe (79) prepares to block against the New York Jets during the first half at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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Backup offensive tackle Ty Nsekhe entered the 2017 offseason as an exclusive rights free agent. The Washington Redskins were able to retain him on a very cheap short term deal.

It is not often that a 31-year-old is a restricted free agent. That is exactly what many thought Washington Redskins swing tackle Ty Nsekhe was coming into the 2017 offseason. The three year veteran had done a superb job in relief of suspended left tackle Trent Williams, and many thought that he could get a big contract on the open market.

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However, Nsekhe actually came into the offseason as an exclusive rights free agent. This meant that the Redskins could choose to tender him and allow him to negotiate with only them. The team unsurprisingly elected to do this, and as a result, Nsekhe is going to be in Washington for another year.

This week, Nsekhe officially signed the deal with the Redskins, and it is most certainly a bargain. Nsekhe is set to make just $690,000 over the course of the next year (per Spotrac.com). By comparison, Vinston Painter, fellow backup tackle and exclusive rights free agent, is set to make $615,000. Both of those deals are extremely affordable, but Nsekhe’s contract may be the best deal in the NFL.

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The fact is that the Redskins do not need Nsekhe as much as some NFL teams do. Nsekhe could probably be a starting tackle for a team on either the right or left side. After all, he was superb in relief of Williams, one of the best left tackles in the game, so why would he not succeed elsewhere? There is a dearth of talented, available offensive linemen in the NFL, as the current draft is said to be weak on that front. Had he hit the open market, he likely could have commanded a deal that paid $6 million per year. Instead, he will make 10 percent of that.

The Redskins have to be ecstatic that they were able to retain Nsekhe for that price. Their offensive tackles are set up to be a serious strength next season, and Nsekhe’s presence will allow them insurance in case Williams is suspended again. Furthermore, in the case of an injury to any lineman, Nsekhe could step into the lineup and provide similar production.

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Nsekhe may not be long for Washington if he has another good year in 2017. But one thing is certain: he is an important part of their team. Retaining him was an obvious move, but the way the team was able to get such a great value on him is extremely impressive.