Nate Orchard is returning to Washington, re-signing a one-year deal with the Redskins according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.
Orchard initially joined the Redskins last season ahead of their Week 13 matchup against the Carolina Panthers. Orchard was thrust in due to injuries at outside linebacker, including Ryan Kerrigan.
Orchard made an impressive debut, registering four tackles, one sack, two tackles for losses, two quarterback hits and a fumble recovery on 42 snaps. That game was arguably his best game since his rookie season in Cleveland in 2015. And it was more significant because the head coach on the opposing Panthers’ side was Ron Rivera.
Rivera was hired in January to become the Redskins head coach after he fired by the Panthers following that Week 13 game in which Washington won 29-21.
Orchard appeared in five games last season for Washington. He had other strong games like against Philadelphia in Week 15 where he matched his career-high with five tackles. He also blocked a punt in Week 16 against the Giants, finishing the season with 14 tackles.
Yet, the Panthers’ game stuck out most in his 2019 campaign. His chance with the Redskins came after he had 10 free agent workouts around the league throughout the season.
Orchard was a failed second-round pick of the Browns in 2015. He was cut during final cuts prior to the 2018 season. In Cleveland, he had 51 tackles and five sacks in three seasons.
He spent 2018 with the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs, appearing in four games total. From there 2019 was mostly spent with him trying to get back in the league.
He made the most of it with his opportunity in Washington and apparently impressing Rivera in the process. Now, he will work to build on his strong finish last year and hopefully parlay that into a lengthy stay in the league.
