The latest
The Redskins are hosting former Philadelphia defensive tackle Bennie Logan Friday night and Saturday on a free agent visit, a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed.
Logan, a fifth-year pro, is known as a strong run-stuffer. Last season, he recorded 24 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 13 games. A third-round pick out of LSU in 2013, the 6-foot-2, 315-pound Logan has spent his entire career with the Eagles.
Contract figures are in for new wide receiver Terrell Pryor and defensive tackle Terrell McClain.
Pryor officially in the fold
After Terrelle Pryor left Washington Friday morning without a contract, the former Browns wide receiver ended up signing a one-year, $8 million contract with the Redskins Friday afternoon.
Pryor joins Washington just a day after the franchise parted ways with DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon at the start of free agency on Thursday. It’s a significant addition to an offense that needed another weapon. Pryor doesn’t have the track record that Jackson and Garcon have possessed during their careers, but it’s hard to ignore the impressive season Pryor had in 2016 with the Cleveland Browns. The quarterback-turned-wide receiver recorded 77 catches for 1,007 yards last year with Robert Griffin III, Josh McCown and Cody Kessler as his quarterbacks. Pryor, 27, recorded one of his four touchdown receptions in Week 4 against the Redskins at FedEx Field.
Washington welcomes, but ultimately passes on Patterson
Redskins mulling Mayock for GM
Less than 24 hours after firing general manager Scot McCloughan, the Washington Redskins are considering hiring NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock to fill the vacancy.
The development was first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Field Yates and confirmed by three sources to The Washington Post.
Mayock, 58, a former safety for the New York Giants (10th round pick, 1981 draft), is a familiar face to ardent NFL fans who follow the NFC Scouting Combine and NFL Draft each spring, providing detailed on-air analysis of the prospects. Friday afternoon, Mayock released a statement denying there had been any official contact between himself and the team.
Kirk Cousins signs tag offer
Kirk Cousins has signed his franchise tag contract, per a Tweet from the quarterback’s agent, Mike McCartney.
By doing so, Cousins locks in the guarantee of the one-year salary of $24 million owed to him as a quarterback playing on the franchise tag for a second straight year. Last season, Washington used the non-exclusive tag to retain Cousins’s services and he signed the deal the very next day, locking in a salary of $19.95 million.
Washington used the exclusive tag this year to prevent Cousins from being able to shop himself to other teams in hopes of soliciting a trade. Cousins didn’t immediately sign the tender, however, while he and his agent reviewed all of their options.
The Redskins still could trade Cousins, but they have yet to give the quarterback any indication that they intend to do so. Coach Jay Gruden and team president Bruce Allen both say they hope to work out a long-term deal. They have until July 15 to do so, and if unsuccessful, Cousins will play on the franchise tag for the 2017 season and then become a free agent in 2018.
Terrelle Pryor leaves without a contract
The Redskins met with wide receiver Terrelle Pryor on Thursday night but he left Ashburn without a deal, according to a person with knowledge of the situation Friday morning. Pryor was not at Redskins Park Friday morning, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.
Pryor will continue to keep his options available in the open market after meeting with the team for dinner.
Washington will need another threat on offense after losing both DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon, who accounted for 1,000 receiving yards each. It has been active in the market seeking for another wide receiver this week, but to no avail up to this point. Washington expressed interest in Marquise Goodwin, who signed with the San Francisco 49ers, and Andre Holmes during the negotiation window. Pryor was the biggest known name that the Redskins expressed interest in so far.
The Redskins currently have a wide receivers unit consisting of Josh Doctson, who played just two games his rookie season, Jamison Crowder, Maurice Harris and Ryant Grant.
In the meantime, here are the details for Jackson’s three year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and safety D.J. Swearinger’s three-year deal with the Redskins.
McCloughan fired
The drama that had enveloped the Redskins since GM Scot McCloughan missed the NFL Scouting Combine took another turn Thursday when the Redskins fired the general manager two years into his four-year contract. You can read The Post’s full account of the firing here. Jerry Brewer has already weighed in on the separation, and Dan Steinberg focuses on the fan reaction.
Free agent trio cashes in elsewhere
We knew that Pierre Garcon, DeSean Jackson and Chris Baker are gone (and if we didn’t, they tried to tell us on social media). But now it appears we know what kind of money Garcon and Baker will be making in their new homes.
Defensive lineman Stacy McGee, meanwhile, will make $9 million up front as part of his five-year deal.
Secondary help signs up
The Redskins added to their secondary early Thursday evening, agreeing to terms with safety D.J. Swearinger. Swearinger’s contract is reportedly worth $13.5 million over three years.
Swearinger, drafted in the second round out of South Carolina by the Houston Texans in 2013, comes to the Redskins from the Arizona Cardinals, where he’s spent the past season-plus.
Big three FAs are gone
It’s official. The Redskins have lost their top three free agents at the start of free agency. Wide receiver DeSean Jackson and defensive end Chris Baker have signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while wide receiver Pierre Garcon will join the San Francisco 49ers, according to multiple people with knowledge of the situation.
Where does that leave the Redskins? Well, they will sign defensive tackle Terrell McClain to give them a much-needed addition along the defensive line. But the Redskins will definitely need more players in the trenches to bolster a significant weak spot on the team.
Washington will need another wide receiver to replace Jackson and Garcon, however. Redskins Coach Jay Gruden expressed his confidence with his current wide receivers – Josh Doctson, Jamison Crowder, Maurice Harris and Ryan Grant – but they’ve been seeking for another player to add to the group. Washington whiffed on Marquise Goodwin, who signed with the 49ers, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. It had expressed interested in wide receiver Andre Holmes, among many teams, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.
Redskins sign former Raiders DT Stacy McGee
The Redskins have picked up another defensive lineman, as they signed former Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Stacy McGee, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. It is reportedly a five-year deal worth $25 million. McGee, 27, has spent all four NFL seasons with the Raiders and posted a career high 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles last year.
Listed at 6-foot-3 and 310 pounds, McGee gives the Redskins another addition in the trenches after moving on from Chris Baker, who signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Washington also added defensive tackle Terrell McClain in an attempt to bolster the interior, an area that has been a significant weak spot over the past few seasons.
McGee was drafted in the sixth round by the Raiders in 2013 out of Oklahoma and has three career sacks.
Terrelle Pryor to meet with Washington
Unrestricted free agent Terrelle Pryor is scheduled to meet with the Redskins on Thursday night, a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed. With the departures of DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon, the Redskins have a clear need at wide receiver with just Josh Doctson, Jamison Crowder, Maurice Harris and Ryan Grant as their top four wide receivers currently on the roster.
The quarterback-turned-wide receiver recorded 1,007 receiving yards last year with the Cleveland Browns on 77 receptions and scored one of his four touchdowns against the Washington Redskins in Week 4. Pryor, 27, is listed at 6-foot-4 and 223 pounds. He would give Washington another huge target on offense along with Doctson.
Redskins to sign Terrell McClain
The team will sign former Cowboys defensive tackle Terrell McClain to a four-year deal worth just more than $21 million, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.
This should help fill a pressing need, especially with last year’s top defensive lineman, Chris Baker, expected to sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Washington very well could have three new starting defensive linemen this coming season. Cullen Jenkins and Ziggy Hood, who both played significantly last season, also are free agents.
McClain, 28, is a former third-round pick of the Carolina Panthers out of South Florida in 2011. He spent some of the 2012 season with the Patriots, and then played for Houston in 2012 and 2013. His longest stint with any team was 2014-16 with Dallas.
Baker leaning towards Tampa
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have emerged as a strong potential landing spot for defensive end Chris Baker.
The fifth-year veteran had hopes of returning to the Redskins, and team officials had a degree of interest in retaining his services. But, the big question involved whether the two sides would agree on Baker’s value.
Tampa Bay has joined in the pursuit of Baker, and Denver had some interest as well. But people with knowledge of the situation expect that Baker will wind up joining the Bucs, who have roughly $60 million in cap space.
Baker, who has been with the Redskins since 2011, has been the team’s most disruptive lineman the last two seasons. Last year he started all 16 games, recording 29 tackles and 3 1/2 sacks, two pass deflections and two forced fumbles. His numbers were down slightly from the 2015 campaign when Baker recorded a career-high six sacks and 53 tackles and three forced fumbles.
Wide receivers splitting with Washington
All signs are pointing towards Jackson signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who had the most cap space available among the teams that inquired for his services during the negotiating window this week, while Garcon will join the San Francisco 49ers and reunite with Kyle Shanahan, who served as Garcon’s offensive coordinator in Washington during Garcon’s first two seasons in 2012 and 2013.
The Redskins are rolling the dice if they think Josh Doctson and Jamison Crowder can step into the shoes of DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon. The latter have set a very high bar and the former have proven very little in the roles Washington reportedly wants them to play. (Read More)
John Hunter Biebighauser follows politics, votes regularly, and keeps up with current events, but he had never signed a petition in his 33 years. That changed Wednesday night.
The cause that finally nudged him into put-your-name-on-the-line activism? Anger at Redskins President Bruce Allen, at the team’s chaotic front office and at the apparent ouster of beloved General Manager Scot McCloughan. Wait, really?
“It felt pretty stupid, to be honest … but I think they might actually read it, because they care so much about their image,” Biegbighauser said in a phone conversation late Wednesday night. And why now?
“They’ve been an embarrassment for going on 20-plus years,” he said. “It’s been a long time coming. But it’s actually having something that appears to be good go away.” (Read More)
From Wednesday
Scot McCloughan’s role with team dwindling
The GM has not been part of the team’s free agent discussions since the start of the negotiating window opened. This after missing last week’s NFL Scouting combine. Here’s the latest report from The Post. (Read More)
Redskins still looking for D-line help
The Redskins had interest in defensive lineman Calais Campbell, but he will sign with the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to ESPN. Campbell was the top interior defensive lineman in free agency, and the 30-year-old will leave the Arizona Cardinals after nine seasons to join Jacksonville.
Washington still is in the market for defensive linemen, as it attempts to get better in the trenches. It has expressed interested in Terrell McClain and Lawrence Guy, although it remains to be seen what direction Washington goes once the top defensive linemen exit the market. The Redskins have their eyes on versatility, something they lacked last season.
Along with Campbell, the Redskins had interest in wide receiver Marquise Goodwin and reportedly in safety Barry Church. Goodwin will sign with the San Francisco 49ers, while Church reportedly will also join the Jaguars.
Washington misses out on safety
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Jaguars are expected to land Cowboys safety Barry Church, a defensive addition the Redskins had been eyeing.
Marquise Goodwin, a possible target, bound for 49ers
Goodwin, 26, has spent all four NFL seasons with the Buffalo Bills and recorded a career-high 29 catches for 431 receiving yards in 15 games (nine starts) last season. He averaged 14.9 yards per reception to go along with three touchdowns.
Pierre Garcon to sign big-money deal with 49ers
Reports indicate Redskins wide receiver Pierre Garcon will be heading to the San Francisco 49ers on a heavily front-loaded contract.
The Redskins and the receiver were expected to part ways and there was strong interest from the 49ers to acquire Garcon, according to multiple people with knowledge of the situation. New 49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan was the main reason why Garcon signed with Washington from Indianapolis in 2012.
Redskins reportedly taking a look at Dontari Poe
The Washington Redskins will still incorporate a base 3-4 defense under defensive coordinator Greg Manusky, but they’re looking for versatile defensive linemen. NFL teams are typically in a 4-3 defense when they’re in the nickel, a subpackage that defenses are in for the majority of the game in today’s pass-happy NFL.
That would mean that along with seeking a nose tackle and a four-technique defensive end in a traditional 3-4 defense, the Redskins would need defensive linemen that can play as one-technique and three-technique when lined up in the 4-3 as well.
The Redskins are reportedly interested in defensive tackle Dontari Poe, per CBS Sports. He would be a great addition for their defensive line as a prototypical nose tackle with the ability to play the one-technique in the nickel. Washington has struggled over the last few seasons to find a nose tackle it can keep on the field for all three downs, but Poe would serve as a significant upgrade with the versatility needed at the position.
Poe, 26, spent all five NFL seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and has proven to be very durable throughout his career, missing just two career games. He had 27 combined tackles, 1.5 sacks, three passes defended and a forced fumble in 2016.
Chris Thompson, Will Compton extended free agent tenders
With Thursday’s 4 p.m. deadline looming, the Washington Redskins announced on Wednesday that they have extended running back Chris Thompson and inside linebacker Will Compton their restricted free agent tenders.
Both players can still negotiate with other teams, but Washington reserves the right to match any offers within seven days. If the Redskins do not match the deal they would receive compensation in the form of the draft pick tender that they placed on Thompson and/or Compton Wednesday. Thompson received a second-round tender, per a source. Also per a source, Compton received a low-round tender, meaning the Redskins get right of first-refusal to any offer.
Coaches spoke highly of both players throughout the season, and both players departed for the offseason having received the impression that they would be retained. But the team hadn’t made a move or communicated with either as of Tuesday evening. But then came the announcement on Wednesday.
Thompson was considered one of the better third-down backs in the league last season when he averaged 5.2 yards per carry and 7.1 yards per catch and scored five touchdowns (three rushing, two receiving). Coaches also view him as a valuable leader of his position group.
Compton, meanwhile, was Washington’s second-leading tackler (128 in 2016) and served as the quarterback of the defense and was described by coaches and teammates as a coach on the field.
There’s no Kirk Cousins-to-the-Niners deal
If you were holding your breath, you can stop now. This doesn’t mean Cousins will not be traded, however and Washington could weigh his trade value throughout the offseason, even as it attempts to get him under a long-term contract.
Redskins re-sign Vernon Davis to three-year deal
After a fairly quiet Tuesday, the Redskins re-signed tight end Vernon Davis to a three-year, $15-million deal in the wee hours of Tuesday morning.
Davis announced the news via Snapchat, and a person with knowledge of the situation revealed the financial terms to The Washington Post.
The Redskins had long hoped to re-sign the 33-year-old Davis, who last season revived his career after joining his hometown team. Davis had 44 catches for 583 yards and two touchdowns and also served as a valuable run-blocker. (Read More)
From Tuesday
The GM’s absence from the team continues after not attending last week’s NFL Scouting Combine. (Read More)
As free agent QBs come off the board, there may be increased demand for Cousins before the draft. (Read More)