Report: Redskins have offered rush linebacker Trent Murphy contract

Trent Murphy missed all of the 2017 season after tearing his ACL in the preseason. Still, the Washington Redskins apparently have interest in bringing him back.

During the 2016 season, Trent Murphy was one of the breakout performers for the Redskins. After not showing much as a pass rusher in his first two seasons, Murphy surprised many by recording nine sacks and generally looked like a solid starting option. He outperformed Preston Smith, and was a good option aside from him due to his more physical pass rushing style.

However, Murphy never saw the field in 2017. He tore his ACL in the preseason and never saw the field. Murphy had been scheduled to face a four game suspension anyway, but the team really missed him as a rotational option as the season went along, and as the team’s injuries piled up.

This offseason, both Murphy and last year’s primary backup, Junior Galette, are set to hit the free agent market. The Redskins need to retain one of them to ensure that they continue to have a good rotational pass rusher to spell Smith and Ryan Kerrigan. According to NBC Sports Washington’s JP Finlay, the team is attempting to lock up Murphy early in the free agent process.

#Redskins have extended contract offer to Trent Murphy, per sources. Nothing done yet though
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) March 11, 2018

This is a sensible option. Murphy had the best season of his career the last time he was one the field, and he has the versatility needed to be an impact player on the defense. Murphy’s 6-foot-5 frame allows him to play the outside linebacker position, but he could bulk up a bit and move to a five technique position on the defensive line if needed. The team was going to do that in 2016, but reversed course after Galette suffered a torn Achilles. That extra strength helped Murphy to succeed, but there were some concerns related to that too.

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It’s worth noting that Murphy was suspended four games for violating the league’s PED policy. With another suspension, he could be gone for a full year. That is something that will be on the radar of the teams interested in signing Murphy, and it could drive his value down a bit.

For the Redskins, Murphy would be a cost-effective option to bring back as the No. 3 edge rusher. Murphy knows the defensive system and was on his way to becoming a potential starting caliber player. Murphy is more younger and more reliable than fellow free agent Galette, and likely will come at a discount because of his injury and suspension issues.

It will be intriguing to see what the Redskins offered Murphy and whether or not he will accept it. Murphy could end up on a one-year, “prove it” deal, so getting him in the $3-$5 million range for a season seems like the right amount.

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No matter what, locking up Murphy seems like a smart move. Provided that the team doesn’t overpay, Murphy could hold down the backup role for the season and possibly take over as a starter in the event that Smith walks in 2019 free agency. Ideally, the team could keep Murphy, Smith, and Kerrigan while developing Ryan Anderson behind the scenes.

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