4 burning questions the Redskins must answer before Week 1
From fan favorites to public enemies number 1a and 1b, Zach Brown and Mason Foster aren’t locks to return as the middle men for the Redskins’ sketchy defense.
Mason Foster, the defensive captain, has been the ire of fans, whether it’s missed tackles, trailing wide open receiving options, or blasting the team and fanbase on Instagram.
Foster has fallen out of favor with the Redskins fanbase and has proven to be a liability on the field. This coming after signing a new two-year deal back in 2017. Foster will enter the final year of his deal in 2019 with the team paying him $2 million, with a $2.25 million cap hit. Should the Redskins look to move on from Foster as expected, they will only take a tiny $250 thousand cap hit, which is all the more reason for the team to try and save some cash for free agency.
Along side Mason Foster, fellow ILB Zach Brown has also fallen out of favor with the fans, as well as with the coaching staff. Brown signed a three-year, $24 million deal last offseason. Because the Redskins are paying him $8.7 and $9.5 million over the next two years, Brown could stay on the roster.
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According to Spotrac, however, the Redskins have an out on Brown’s deal that will cost them $3 million in dead money if they release him this offseason, which is expected by many, including Brown himself, who in season was quoted saying “the writing is on the wall” when asked about his decreased role and future with the team. Brown played only 68 percent of defensive snaps in 2018, compared to Fosters 98 percent. Even though he’s a better athlete, Brown was benched for the final quarter of the season. The writing does appear to be on the wall for the North Carolina product.
Late-round picks Josh Harvey-Clemons and Shawn Dion-Hamilton will return at inside linebacker, along with Reuben Foster, who was claimed off waivers from San Fransisco following his second domestic abuse arrest in only a matter of months. Foster was eventually cleared of his charges but is still looking at serving a suspension for violating the league’s conduct policy, and may not see the field in a Redskins uniform until well into the 2019 campaign. Washington has done a fantastic job building a dominant defensive line over the past few years, but will now need to find an instant impact player at the next level to help shore up the team’s front seven.
Free agent Preston Smith is likely heading elsewhere in free agency, and Ryan Kerrigan, who is as solid as ever, is now in his 30’s and eventually will slow down. The defensive group for Washington needs an anchor in the middle of the field and they will need to figure it out this offseason if they have hopes of returning to top-tier status in 2019.