DJ Swearinger Claims He Was Voted Redskins Defensive Captain by Teammates, but Jay Gruden Overruled

DJ Swearinger was released Monday by the Washington Redskins for his post-game criticism of defensive coordinator Greg Manusky, however, as he talked to 106.7 the Fan, he didn’t leave without dropping a few nuggets.

He addressed the contradicting tweet by teammate Jonathan Allen, among other numerous topics. One of those topics was how he was not a defensive captain this season after he was in his first year with the Redskins last season.

According to Swearinger, he was indeed voted by his teammates to be the defensive captain, however, he claims that the head coach Jay Gruden opted to go with Mason Foster instead of him.

“I was voted the captain from the players and I have proof of that, from some of my teammates, but that’s another conversation.” Swearinger told Grant Paulsen of 106.7 the Fan.

Swearinger expressed that he thought it was odd that this season both the offense and defense voted for the captains as opposed to the defense voting for the defense and the offense voting for the offense.

Swearinger went on mentioned that there was an apparent three-way tie following the voting, with himself, Foster, and an unnamed player.

“I do know for a fact that I was named one of the captains and one of my teammates’ votes did put me ahead of [a] three-way tie and it was the coach’s decision to name [Mason Foster] the [defensive] captain,” Swearinger continued (h/t the Washington Post). “This is the first team I’ve been on where we only have three captains. Everywhere else I’ve been we’ve had four or five captains. This is my first year of my six-year career in which we have three captains. It’s ironic, but you could read between those lines.”

Swearinger has exhibited his passion for the game and fiery honesty that makes him the player he is today. He is talented, arguably one of the best safeties in the NFL right now. However, that passion and fiery personality can be a detrimental and works against his favor.

“It’s not rocket science why I wasn’t the captain,” Swearinger said. “I’m a vocal guy, passionate guy who wants to win, and if the coaches feel I’m too smart or I’m a weapon as far as my smarts are concerned and to ignore when things are going wrong or not going well then they got to release the guy that has knowledge or has respect in the locker room, I guess.”

Not seeing him with the “C” on his jersey raised eyebrows of outsiders looking in, but no explanation as to why Foster was named captain over Swearinger a season after the vocal safety was indeed the defensive captain.

By many accounts, Swearinger has led meetings with defensive players and gone over film, as Paulsen alluded in the interview. Despite that, he was not named captain and now he is giving insight on why. from his perspective.