So much for Plan B, the Washington Redskins are going ahead with what had been suspected for some time and are releasing linebacker Zach Brown, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
Brown is a Pro Football Focus favorite, as he was graded as the No. 3 linebacker in the NFL last season according to the analytical site. By releasing Brown, the Redskins will save $5.75 million cap space, as he was expected to cut for a $8.75 million cap hit, now they’ll take on the $3 million dead cap.
The Redskins had been looking to trade Brown as it was suspected they were pursuing free agent inside linebacker CJ Mosley. Mosley ultimately agreed to a five-year deal worth $85 million with the New York Jets. Keeping Brown given the market for linebacker seemed a possibility in the aftermath.
However, that is not the case and Washington is going ahead as planned. Brown appeared to wear out his welcome for whatever reasons. Last year’s sixth-round pick Shaun Dion Hamilton started the final four games of the regular season ahead of Brown, which prompted the veteran linebacker to express his frustration saying he saw the “writing on the wall” about his eventual departure from the team.
Brown signed a three-year deal worth $24 million last March after a stellar first season with the Redskins in 2017. He has sideline-to-sideline speed and can make stops in the run game, however, he has struggled in his time with Washington in pass coverage against running backs and tight ends.
The Redskins have roughly $9.6 million of cap space, according to Spotrac, so there may be more moves to be made, depending on the direction of the team with free agency.
The team currently has Hamilton, Reuben Foster, Josh Harvey-Clemons, and Mason Foster on the roster at inside linebacker. Keep in mind, the Redskins have reportedly been shopping Mason Foster as well.
