Orlando Scandrick signing continues Redskins-Chiefs cornerback connection

Orlando Scandrick didn’t stay out of work long following the Redskins decision to release him. Scandrick inked a one-year deal with the Chiefs on Sunday morning.

The Redskins release of Orlando Scandrick was certainly a surprise, but it was definitely a good thing for the squad. In the wake of the performance of their young cornerbacks including Quinton Dunbar, Fabian Moreau, Greg Stroman, and Danny Johnson, the team realized that they had too much talent at corner and too few roster spots. Thus, they decided to release Scandrick to open up more opportunities for their young corners to play and earn roster spots.

Scandrick had signed a two-year, $11 million contract in the offseason, but there was an easy out for the Redskins, and they only ended up paying him $1 million for his time with the team. That isn’t ideal for the team, but it’s also not the worst thing that could have happened with that contract.

The team elected to release Scandrick early enough that he could find work with another NFL team, which was a nice gesture. And it panned out perfectly for Scandrick, as he was able to find work very quickly.

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According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Scandrick inked a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs. This is the second former-Redskins slot corner that the Chiefs have acquired this offseason, and their ties to former Washington defensive backs run even deeper.

In the Alex Smith trade, the Chiefs acquired stud slot man Kendall Fuller from the Redskins. Fuller was one of the better corners in the NFL during his second season, and the Chiefs were happy to acquire him. They are planning on playing him outside as a starting corner, and he will play across from David Amerson.

Amerson is another former Skins corner who had been a second-round pick by the team in 2013. Amerson was unceremoniously waived by the team after struggling immensely in coverage, and he landed with the Raiders. In Oakland, he had an up-and-down career alternating between excelling and getting torched. He was released this offseason and landed with the Chiefs.

With Scandrick now on the Chiefs, it seems that the team will march out three former Redskins as their starters and in nickel packages. That number could go up as well, as they showed an interest in Bashaud Breeland early in the offseason. It’s just interesting to note how much stock the Chiefs are putting into former Skins in their secondary.

Interesting connection aside, Washington doesn’t lose much by giving up Scandrick. Because of his contract, he would have been difficult to trade. And with the team constructed as it currently is, he didn’t have a place ahead of the younger players with more upside. Rolling with three rookie backups is a risk, but it’s one that could pay off for the team if all their talent continues to develop at a quick pace.