The Washington Redskins have agreed to terms with Pro Bowl linebacker Zach Brown on a one-year deal reportedly worth up to $4.65 million this season. He had been expected to sign a multi-year deal worth much more than that, and when that didn't happen, he abruptly fired his agent. By signing a one-year contract, Brown will hope to build upon his 2016 pro bowl season and receive better offers next off-season.
Zach Brown's value to a team
The former Buffalo Bills linebacker is coming off of a very productive season, in which he compiled 149 tackles and 4 sacks while playing in all 16 games.
One reason his market didn't develop as expected is because he can be a liability at times in the passing game. In a league like the NFL, where teams seem to pass on every play, Brown can be exploited in certain situations. The pro bowl linebacker is a very good player, however, despite his limitations, and his ability to control the defense on first and second down can't be overlooked. As a tackling machine capable of stopping the run at times by himself, he's still a valuable asset. If Zach Brown can perform like he did last season, the Washington Redskins landed a very good player on a bargain contract.
Washington Redskins tough off-season
The Washington Redskins have been in the news this off-season for all of the wrong reasons.
Their franchise quarterback demanded a trade, then said he didn't. They fired their general manager after months of not allowing him to speak to the media in any capacity. The organization made some not-so-nice insinuations about their former general manager to the media about his drinking problems.
For the team to finally be in the news for signing a player is a welcomed sign, and the fact that it's a pro-bowl caliber linebacker only helps that much more.
The team seems poised to go into the 2017 season with Kirk Cousins as their quarterback yet again, and with an improved defense and more stability in the front office, the 2017 season could be a very good one for this Washington franchise.
