Niles Paul’s tenure with the Washington Redskins appears to be headed to an end. In a mini-Twitter rant, the unrestricted free agent hinted to the Redskins making a decision to part ways from him after seven seasons.
https://twitter.com/NilesP_/status/971437228634329088
Paul was a fifth-round pick of the Redskins in 2011 out of Nebraska. He was converted into a tight end from wide receiver. He played in 82 games, and had multiple roles on the team. Despite being the third tight end on the depth chart, Paul was the I-formation fullback. He also served as a kick returner and was the team’s special teams captain for the past couple of seasons.
However, his time with the Redskins was marred by injuries as well. He had two bouts with concussions throughout his career. He suffered a fractured and dislocated ankle in a 2015 preseason game that cost him the entire season. In 2016, he was placed on injured reserve after suffering a torn labrum in a Week 8 game.
Paul has registered 68 receptions for 856 yards and two touchdowns with the Redskins. He also averaged 20.2 yards on 40 kick returns.
Several of former Redskins teammates showed their support to Paul, including Su’a Cravens and Chris Baker.
Make em pay for it wherever you go great teammate sad 2c you leave man #GODSPLAN TRUST HIM
— Chris Baker (@cbakerswaggy) March 7, 2018
https://twitter.com/iammsuzy/status/971442714137919488
One former Redskins teammate, Pierre Garcon, went as far recruiting Paul to his current team the San Francisco 49ers.
Let me check my palm pilot 👀, we might have a spot for you in the Bay. We need a guy like you. Hightower the ST coach. You’ll be closer to Omaha, LA and Vegas 👀CaliforniaLove 💪🏾 https://t.co/r3SAZM3klA
— Pierre Garçon (@PierreGarcon) March 7, 2018
Despite the rant, there is no ruling out a deal being worked out between both sides. Kimberly A. Martin of the Washington Post reports contract talks are “still ongoing” between Paul and the Redskins. Paul is not the first Redskins player to be frustrated with negotiations with the team and turn to Twitter to rant. Mason Foster did so after he was placed on injured reserve during the 2017 season. Foster just signed a two-year deal to remain with the team.
As for Paul, it doesn’t look good for him staying with the Redskins. Wherever Paul lands next in his NFL journey, his team will get a hard-worker, multi-skilled locker room leader.
