The Washington Redskins continue to search for a consistent pass rush. After three weeks, they are tied for the fifth-fewest sacks among teams in the NFL. No one player has more than a sack, including first-round rookie Montez Sweat and Pro Bowler Ryan Kerrigan.
In fact cornerback Josh Norman has as many sacks as the two supposed star edge rushers. This is coming after the Redskins finished with the seventh-most sacks in the league with 46 a year ago.
Meanwhile, former Redskins edge rusher Preston Smith is thriving with his new team the Green Bay Packers. After a three-sack performance in Week 3 against the Denver Broncos, Smith was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week.
The Packers are third in the NFL with 12 sacks only trailing the New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars, who each have 13 on the year through three weeks.
Smith signed a four-year deal worth $52 million, including $16 million guaranteed in March with Green Bay after spending his first four seasons with the Redskins. Thus far, he has been worth every penny. He has racked up 13 tackles, 4.5 sacks and one interception. The 4.5 sacks already have surpassed his total of four last season with the Redskins.
The Packers are allowing 197.3 passing yards per game — fifth-fewest in the league. Meanwhile, the Redskins cannot get to the quarterback and cannot stop the pass. Washington has allowed 260.7 yards through the air and opponents have a 122.2 quarterback rating against them.
It’s hard to say if Smith could equal this year’s production had he re-signed with the Redskins, but his thriving in a new system with different coaching just magnifies considering the lack of production he had in Washington.
Coincidentally, former Redskins safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, who departed for the Chicago Bears this past offseason, finished second in the voting. Clinton-Dix had two interceptions against the Redskins, including a pick-six, in the Bears 31-15 rout.
