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Redskins Rumors: Team working on an extension with linebacker Zach Brown

By Jacob Camenker

SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 05: Quarterback Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks is pressured by inside linebacker Zach Brown #53 of the Washington Redskins during the second quarter of the game against the Washington Redskins at CenturyLink Field on November 5, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. The Redskins won 17-14. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 05: Quarterback Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks is pressured by inside linebacker Zach Brown #53 of the Washington Redskins during the second quarter of the game against the Washington Redskins at CenturyLink Field on November 5, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. The Redskins won 17-14. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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The Washington Redskins are looking to lock up one of their key defenders past 2017. They are reportedly working on an extension with Zach Brown.

During the 2017 offseason, the Washington Redskins were in need of a three down linebacker. The team had struggled badly against the run during the 2016 season, and part of that was due to a lack of tackling ability at the linebacker position. Notably, Will Compton had missed too many tackles and the team wanted to move him into a backup role.

As free agency went along, the middle linebacker market really failed to develop. Teams largely ignored some of the top players at the position, and as a result, the value of contracts went down. That’s how the Redskins were able to add Zach Brown to their team.

Brown was coming off a Pro Bowl season with the Buffalo Bills, but in the wake of Sean McDermott’s hiring, the team let him linger on the free agent market. The Redskins elected to sign Brown to a one-year deal well into the free agency process. So far, it has worked out even better than they could have dreamed.

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In his first season in Washington, Brown has recorded a league-leading 117 tackles and his effective play has rubbed off on other members of the team. Mainly, his fundamentals have allowed him to greatly succeed in the new defense and he was a key reason that the Redskins defense started the season so strong. That was, of course, before injuries derailed the team.

As the Redskins start looking towards the 2018 offseason, it’s going to be important for them to lock up Brown and have him continue to be one of the defensive leaders. For that reason, it’s no surprise that the team is reportedly engaging in extension talks with Brown, per Jason La Canfora. He has to be high on their list of priorities, right below figuring out what to do with Kirk Cousins.

Realistically, the Redskins are going to have to pony up and pay Brown. He’s likely to make a second Pro Bowl in as many years and he is probably a top 10 inside linebacker in the league right now. He may not be as good in coverage as some of the other top options on the market, but he will likely command a lucrative deal. It will be interesting to see what type of contract the Redskins base negotiations on.

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At the end of the day, this is a positive step for the team as they start to look toward the future. Brown definitely should have a spot on the team, and keeping him on the roster beyond 2017 would be beneficial to Greg Manusky’s defense.

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