The Washington Redskins are looking to improve their roster after a disappointing finish to the season. And it appears they are exploring all options, including at inside linebacker. According to the Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Redskins are shopping both Zach Brown and Mason Foster for potential trades.
The Redskins are interested in signing free agent CJ Mosley formerly of the Baltimore Ravens. The Redskins have just under $13 million of cap space, and will need to clear some cap space. Moving both Brown or Foster would help.
Mosley is a four-time Pro Bowler and has been named to second-team All-Pro four times, including each season from 2016-2018.
Last season he had 105 tackles, five pass defenses and one interception in 15 games for the Ravens.
Meanwhile, there have been hints that both Foster and Brown’s time in Washington were running out. Brown shared a significant amount of snaps in the final four games of the season to rookie Shaun Dion Hamilton.
Brown expressed his unhappiness about the coaching decision in a rant that included him saying he sees the “writing on the wall” about him being let go by the Redskins.
Embed from Getty ImagesBrown signed a three-year deal worth $24 million last March with the Redskins. However, the Redskins would save $5.75 million according to Spotrac.com, if they were to trade or release him. He has a favorable deal for any team wanting to trade for him, with $13.75 million remaining over the next two seasons.
Foster has had his fair share of ups and downs in four seasons with the Redskins. Last season, he led the team with 131 tackles and added four passes defenses and two interceptions. However, his play overall was not as dominating as his stats, and the height of his struggles led to an Instagram rant with fans that may or may not have been him or his cousin.
Foster has one year remaining on his two-year deal. If the Redskins move him they’ll save $4 million of cap space.
Besides last season’s primary starters, Washington has a pair of young Alabama linebackers. Hamilton played well in his four starts, collecting 23 tackles in those four starts. The team also claimed Reuben Foster after the San Francisco 49ers waived him in November.
Foster was a first-round pick in 2017, but off-the-field issues, including multiple domestic violence allegations wore out his welcome in San Francisco. Despite charges being dropped in the latest incident from November, he could face an NFL-enforced suspension for the upcoming season.
Nonetheless, it appears the Redskins want to upgrade at inside linebacker. Mosley almost certainly constitutes as such. Mosley has a huge market, so it will take a great offer and pitch for Washington to land him. But first things first, they have to offload Foster and/or Brown.
