Washington Redskins: Visiting Linebacker Zach Brown Could Be A Good Fit

What are the causes for concern?

There’s a reason or two that Brown hasn’t been signed yet.

Brown is commanding top dollar. Naturally, it’s the way to play the business. Sell high. But many teams are skeptical of his true worth. After all, this story has been told many times, and the Redskins have too often been the tragic hero of free agency.

Brown has made clear he can play, but there are lingering questions about his drive and intangibles. According to ESPN’s John Keim, Brown’s lack of ability to partake in defensive play calling is a cause for concern, and his love for the game has been questioned multiple times throughout his career. In a game where the locker room culture permeates onto the football field, caution must be taken with Brown. His breakout season suggests that there are no mental issues, but football is an unpredictable sport. Relapses can happen.

Athletically, however, Brown appears to be sound. He showed last year that he has innate speed, toughness, and focus. But he’s asking for quite a bit of money. And even though he’ll likely have to decrease his desired price due to the fading furor of free agency, the Redskins are running low on cap space. It could be in their best interests to nab a young talent in the draft, or possibly join in late on the pursuit for Gerald Hodges.

Brown is a talented player, but the Redskins could hinder their future buying prospects if they choose to make him an offer he can’t refuse. Other options may yield greater value as time goes on.