The Washington Redskins are all Ryan Kerrigan knows professionally. And the veteran pass rusher wants to keep it that way despite questions surrounding his future with the team.
Talking to reporters before heading off to the offseason, Kerrigan stressed he wants to stay with the Redskins.
Kerrigan has one year remaining on his five-year deal with the Redskins for the 2020 season. He is set to make a non-guaranteed $11.5 million in base salary.
Kerrigan had a down year in 2019, collecting a career-low 5.5 sacks. For the first time in his career, Kerrigan did not play in all 16 games of a season as his streak of 139 consecutive games played ended due to a concussion suffered in Week 12 against the Detroit Lions. He would ultimately be placed on injured reserve due to a calf injury suffered in Week 14 against the Green Bay Packers.
Washington is heading into a new direction after the firing of longtime team president Bruce Allen and the potential hiring of Ron Rivera as head coach. The team’s rebuild has already started and specifically pertaining to Kerrigan’s position.
In this year’s NFL Draft the Redskins traded two draft picks, including a 2020 second-round pick to draft Montez Sweat. With the team securing the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, many expect them to select Ohio State and former DeMatha High School standout Chase Young. That would give them an outside linebacker/edge rusher in the first round in back-to-back seasons.
There is also rumors that the team could move their base defense from a 3-4 to 4-3. With Ryan Anderson, a 2017 second-round pick, also on the roster, Kerrigan’s return would strengthen the Redskins’ depth at the defensive edge.
His 90 career sacks is just one shy of the Redskins all-time sack leader, Dexter Manley.
Ryan Kerrigan informing his agent to work to keep him in burgundy and gold would most likely mean a new deal at a price both sides are comfortable with.
