Redskins release wide receiver Paul Richardson after two seasons

Redskins head coach Ron Rivera isn’t wasting any more time. He’s made several roster moves already today, most recently the release of wide receiver Paul Richardson.

The Washington Redskins free agency habits under Bruce Allen became the source of disdain and vitriol over the course of his tenure with the team. The Redskins turned the page from the Allen era in early January, but they’re not done purging his influence just yet.

Earlier this morning, it was reported that the Redskins had released veteran cornerback Josh Norman, who was signed to a five-year, $75 million deal in 2016, only to regress gradually over the course of his Redskins career. Norman was the first to go in February, but he won’t be the last. Per NFL insider Mike Garafolo, wide receiver Paul Richardson is the next to go.

Richardson was signed in 2018, over a year after the Redskins let go of veteran wide receiver and speed demon DeSean Jackson. Richardson was viewed by some as a potential replacement for Jackson; at 6-foot-0, 190, with 4.40 speed, Richardson fit the profile well, and he seemed to be on the uptrend, coming off a 2017 season that saw him notch over 700 yards on 44 catches.

But Richardson couldn’t stay healthy or earn enough volume to take on a premier role in Washington. Through two seasons in D.C., Richardson logged 48 catches for 507 yards and four touchdowns. In 2019, Richardson, who was once heralded for his dynamic potential, averaged less than ten yards per catch, turning in just 245 yards on 28 receptions.

Richardson was cut just two seasons into a five-year, $40 million deal, culminating in another free agency failure for ex-team president Bruce Allen. Richardson’s removal gives the team $6.5 in dead cap to deal with, but it’s a worthwhile cost, to free up a spot at a wide receiver position that needs more dynamic ability in 2020.

Washington now has over $50 million in cap space for free agency, and if the cuts keep coming, they’ll keep increasing their flexibility for the new year. Ron Rivera’s willingness to make business decisions with depreciating assets is a pleasant change in 2020, and it looks like he’s not done yet.