It’s not farfetched to believe DJ Swearinger was the most productive safety the Washington Redskins had since the tragic death of Sean Taylor. However, his testing the patience of head coach Jay Gruden and the coaching staff ultimately led to his release.
On Christmas Eve, Swearinger was informed by Gruden he was being waived by the Redskins following his latest post-game criticism of defensive coordinator Greg Manusky after Saturday’s 25-16 loss to the Tennessee Titans.
In what Gruden later described as “repeated offenses” Swearinger disobeyed coaches’ warnings to not publicly criticize his Redskins’ teammates and coaches. And what seemed as a perfect pairing was ended in an ugly matter, as Swearinger hit the waiver wire.
It didn’t take long being without an NFL home, as the Arizona Cardinals claimed Swearinger Tuesday. The Cardinals, who have the league’s worst-record at 3-12 had the highest priority on the waiver wire.
Swearinger played two seasons in Arizona before signing a three-year deal worth $13.5 million with the Redskins as a free agent in 2017.
Swearinger admitted he “definitely” did not expect to be released by Washington, because he felt he had an “understanding” with the Redskins coaches. Now back where he seemed to blossom first in his pro career in Arizona, Swearinger is going to try to move forward with a different approach of going about things.
“I understand it wasn’t my role to call out the defensive coaches, even though, you know, like I said, we had a relationship — me [and the] coaches — we had a good relationship,” Swearinger said after his day reporting to the Cardinals via NBC Sports Washington. “But, you know, we learn from this. I’ll keep my mouth shut next time and keep moving and playing football. I need to do what I do on the field and let my pads do the talking.”
Swearinger’s fiery attitude is what made him a well-liked player among the Redskins fans. It’s something that teams cherish of Swearinger. However, he has to find a better way to channel that energy and attitude — something he later admitted he has to do.
“I’m a very passionate player, put my heart into this game,” Swearinger said via Arizona Cardinals. “You put the camera in my face after we lose a game that we’re supposed to go to the playoffs, I might say some things that I shouldn’t say, you know, and that’s on me. I gotta control that and be better at that.
“Like I said, I live and learn and I keep moving forward, man, that’s sorta, that’s life.”
Swearinger will wear the No. 35 with the Cardinals for the final week of the season, as fellow safety Budda Baker currently wears the No. 36 — a jersey Swearinger has been accustomed to wear throughout his collegiate and NFL career. It’s unclear if he will be active for the Cardinals’ Week 17 game against the Seattle Seahawks.
He will have one year remaining on his contract in 2019 that carries a $4.5 million cap hit for Arizona. Washington will carry a $1.3 million dead cap hit for releasing Swearinger.
Arizona marks his fifth stint in his NFL career in six years. He was drafted in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans, but his time there lasted two seasons after what he described as a “misunderstanding” with the coaching staff, highlighted by head coach Bill O’Brien. At the heart of the issue, according to Swearinger, giving advice to a fellow defensive back during a film session.
He also spent a season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before signing with Arizona and eventually Washington.
Recognized as one of the better safeties in the league, and by far the most productive the Redskins have had in over 10 years, Swearinger will have to heed his own advice moving forward by channeling his fiery attitude in a different direction if he wants to remain a wanted commodity in the NFL.
