Redskins release 2018 free agent signee Orlando Scandrick

In a somewhat surprising move, the Redskins have released veteran cornerback Orlando Scandrick ahead of the team’s second preseason matchup.

The Washington Redskins came into the 2018 offseason with warranted questions at cornerback. After losing Kendall Fuller via trade and Bashaud Breeland to the free agent market, the Redskins were left with two holes at starting positions.

Ahead of free agency, it was believed that, to some degree, Quinton Dunbar and Fabian Moreau would fill the holes on the outside and in the slot, but that didn’t stop the Redskins from signing former Cowboys’ defensive back Orlando Scandrick.

Scandrick was expected to bring the Redskins both veteran leadership and a sense of security with his starting experience, even if he was past his prime. But now, it appears the Redskins, just months after signing the former division rival, feel confident going in a different direction. Per ESPN’s John Keim, Scandrick has been released. His release incurs minimal dead cap, as his contract provided very few guarantees.

Scandrick’s release is a signal of refreshing confidence from the Redskins’ staff. Scandrick was expected to make the roster by most, but now that he’s gone, there’s an open spot at the cornerback position, a spot that will be filled by one of the team’s several impressive young players.

As John Keim stated in his summary of the transaction, the Redskins’ release of Scandrick is not a move solely based on Scandrick’s performance; the veteran regularly took starting reps in training camp. Instead, this move likely means that the Redskins are instead very confident in the play of their younger cornerbacks: Quinton Dunbar, Fabian Moreau, Greg Stroman, and Danny Johnson.

Johnson seems to be the most obvious beneficiary of this move. Scandrick was expected to be a regular participant in the slot for the Redskins, but with him gone, Johnson, who has flashed on numerous occasions with his physicality, quickness, and ball skills, has a great chance to factor into the Redskins’ plans.

How the Redskins ultimately end up using their young cornerbacks is still yet to be seen, but they seem to be confident in the potential this group holds. They wouldn’t have let a veteran like Scandrick go if they weren’t.