DJ Swearinger was a wanted commodity on the NFL waivers wire. Following being waived by the Washington Redskins, Swearinger was claimed by the Arizona Cardinals, a team he played two seasons with before signing with the Redskins in 2017 as a free agent.
Swearinger was waived Monday following his post-game hot take of Redskins defensive coordinator Greg Manusky after Washington’s 25-16 loss to the Tennessee Titans Saturday. It wasn’t the first time Swearinger criticized his coaching staff, and it was the final straw for head coach Jay Gruden, who expressed he was “really disappointed” by the safety’s comments.
The Oakland Raiders and Green Bay Packers also placed claims on Swearinger as he went through waivers Tuesday, according to of ESPN.
The Cardinals were awarded the veteran based off priority. That priority is based off order of lesser records, just like the NFL Draft.
The Cardinals, who are 3-12 with the worst-record in the NFL, had first priority over every other NFL team. The Raiders, 4-11, were fourth which means the New York Jets and San Francisco 49ers passed on Swearinger. The Packers, 6-8-1, were 14th in the waiver order.
The Tampa Bay Buccaners, who Swearinger played for one season, were among the teams that reportedly passed up on the safety. So did the Redskins’ NFC East division rivals, New York Giants.
The Cardinals will inherit Swearinger’s contract he signed with the Redskins. Arizona will be charged $176,471 against the cap for the remainder of the 2018 season for Swearinger and $4.5 million in 2019 the last of his three-year contract, worth a total of $13.5 million.
Swearinger’s release will carry a $1.3 million dead cap hit for the Redskins in 2019.
