Redskins Are Interested In Free Agent McCardell

Former Chargers wide receiver Keenan McCardell is a 16-year veteran. (2005 Photo By Denis Poroy -- Associated Press)

The Washington Redskins have exchanged contract proposals with free agent wide receiver Keenan McCardell, according to sources with knowledge of the situation, with the player rejecting their initial veteran minimum proposal.

McCardell, 37, was released by San Diego and also has a veteran minimum offer from Houston, where he lives. Should the Redskins fail to add a signing bonus or additional salary to their offer, McCardell, who mulled retirement earlier this year, likely would take the Texans' offer. With training camp five weeks away, there is no pressure on either side to strike a quick deal, although sources said the Redskins do have considerable interest in taking a chance on him despite investing a large chunk of their salary cap at the wide receiver position in recent years.

McCardell had just 36 catches and started 11 games for the Chargers in 2006, but in 2005 his output dwarfed anything the Redskins' current No. 2 and 3 wide receivers -- Brandon Lloyd and Antwaan Randle El-- have ever produced. McCardell caught 70 passes for 917 yards and scored nine touchdowns in 2005. McCardell has ties to several people in the organization -- he played with quarterback Mark Brunell and defensive tackle Renaldo Wynn in Jacksonville -- and is familiar with some of the coaches here after being selected in the 12th round by Washington in 1991 (he never played for the Redskins).

-- Jason La Canfora