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Examining if the Redskins should trade or keep Ryan Anderson

By Jacob Camenker

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 08: Ryan Anderson #52 of the Washington football team lines up for a play in the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 08, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 08: Ryan Anderson #52 of the Washington football team lines up for a play in the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 08, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – SEPTEMBER 23: Ryan Kerrigan #91 of the Washington Redskins leaves the field after the game against the Chicago Bears at FedExField on September 23, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – SEPTEMBER 23: Ryan Kerrigan #91 of the Washington Redskins leaves the field after the game against the Chicago Bears at FedExField on September 23, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Ryan Kerrigan’s pending free agency could impact the decision as well

This is one last important point that I feel needs to be touched on as well. Ryan Kerrigan is set to be a free agent after the season and there are some questions about whether or not the soon-to-be 32-year-old will return to the Redskins.

Kerrigan may want to be a Redskins lifer, but he may have to take a backseat role for that to happen. Young and Sweat figure to be the long-term starters on the edge in Washington, so Kerrigan will likely back them up or cede snaps to them in a rotation. And as his career continues, the snap share will only continue to skew against Kerrigan.

If Kerrigan decides that he wants to get paid starter money, have a prominent role, and compete for a title as his career nears its end, he could do that. A team like the Ravens could be a great destination for him if he wanted to do something like that.

Of course, that’s all speculative. But if Kerrigan is only with the team for 2020, then it may open up more of a chance for Anderson to be retained as s a top backup. Again, he’s not an ideal fit as a primary edge rusher in a 4-3 defense, but if he can prove that he can effectively play the edge in this scheme, he could be a good insurance policy should Kerrigan leave.

Anderson is younger and cheaper than Kerrigan. He’s not better, but if Kerrigan decides that he wants a bigger role, he may have to leave Washington to find that. It will be interesting to see if the ‘Skins make keeping Kerrigan a priority… or if they decide to focus their attention elsewhere.

Just know if they do look elsewhere, Anderson could garner consideration for a cheaper extension as a backup. It may not work out, but that’s a factor that is in play here.

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