Redskins need to trade Jordan Reed, in best interest of all parties

Tough decisions need to be made this offseason. One of which is the trading of Jordan Reed.

In the offseason of 2016, Jordan Reed signed a five-year, back-loaded contract with the Redskins, worth almost $50 million, with $22 million in guarantees. At the time, the contract was seen as a great move. After all, Reed was coming off the heels of a career season in which he logged 87 receptions for 952 yards and 11 touchdowns in just 14 games.

The sky seemed to be the limit for Reed. But in the next two years combined, 2016 and 2017, he logged just 897 yards and 8 touchdowns, both numbers lesser than his 2015 totals on their own. He missed fourteen combined games in 2016 and 2017, nearly half of the 32 possible games played in that span. 2017 was an especially frustrating year. The tight end had a whole offseason to get healthy, but immediately when the year started up again, it seemed he was hurt.

Reed has never been known for his durability. Over his five year career, the veteran has missed 28 of a possible 80 games played. Concussions, hamstring issues, and shoulder ailments have peppered him throughout his professional career. It’s come to a point where we almost expect him to get injured again once he’s healthy, and it’s reasonable to ask if he ever really is one hundred percent. Repetitive injuries take a toll on a body, and concussions are an entirely different animal. Reed has suffered six concussions, and one has to wonder if his play, and his well-being, will permanently suffer.

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For both parties, a trade may be the smartest course of action. The Redskins need Reed’s value on the field, and if he isn’t available, then he isn’t as valuable to them, period. By trading Reed, the Redskins would not only get something for the talented player, as well as free up a roster spot, but they would also offload his base salary of $8.3 million. Also, in a trade, the Redskins would not have to pay to $5.4 million dead cap number, as the other team would take on the brunt of Reed’s salary. Reed’s cap hit increases to $10.3 once the next NFL year starts, and it stays around that value for three years, so shipping him away now makes sense.

What makes this plan better is that while Reed’s repeating injuries have been concerning, there will undeniably be suitors for him if the Redskins decide to actively shop him through the offseason. His talent makes that a near guarantee. Someone with a deficiency at tight end, or someone in need of a game changer on the offensive side of the ball, will take a chance on Reed. The Jaguars are one team who could end up being interested. Their entire offense is a deficiency, and they have more than enough cap space to take on Reed’s salary. In their eyes, it could be worth it.

This trade would be good for the Redskins, and ultimately, it would be good for Reed as well. With Vernon Davis playing well and still having years left in the tank, Reed’s snap counts might take a hit in 2018, even when he’s healthy. With Jeremy Sprinkle continuing his development, and the Redskins’ likelihood of drafting a tight end on the rise, Reed is trending toward irrelevance in Washington. With a trade, he can get a change of scenery, and maybe a training staff that is better at mitigating and dealing with injuries. Because if 2017 taught us anything, it’s that the Redskins can improve in that area.

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As good as this theory sounds, however, it’s far from a done deal. The Redskins may not even be interested in shipping Reed away, and if they are, and they end up asking around, it’s not a given that the offers will be very enticing. It’s a scenario with a lot of moving parts, but when it’s all said and done, the Redskins need to at least attempt a deal this offseason. Because Reed doesn’t seem to be getting any healthier, or any cheaper.

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