John Matthews
WMAL.com
ASHBURN, VA — We’ve known about the biggest names for weeks, but today, it can finally become official.
At 4 pm Wednesday, the new NFL year will officially begin, clearing the way for trades to be consummated and free agents to sign with new teams, or to return to their old ones.
For the Washington Redskins, that means saying goodbye to Kirk Cousins, who will be signing a three-year, $84 million deal to play for the Minnesota Vikings – becoming the first quarterback – and perhaps the first player – in NFL history to receive a fully guaranteed multi-year contract.
With Cousins, gone, the Redskins and the Kansas City Chiefs will complete their deal that brings quarterback Alex Smith to town with a new contract, in exchange for the Skins’ third-round draft pick and cornerback Kendall Fuller.
And then there are new deals to discuss. The Redskins have agreed to a five-year, $40 million deal with former Seattle wide receiver Paul Richardson, who joins Washington after his best season as a pro for the Seahawks. He caught 44 passes for 703 yards and six touchdowns in 2016.
But there will be goodbyes as well. Wide Receiver Ryan Grant is expected to drive up I-95 and sign a new deal with the Baltimore Ravens after four years in Washington, and cornerback Beshaud Breeland has reached an agreement to sign with the Carolina Panthers.
The Redskins are expected to be active in free agency, looking to add depth at virtually every position.
WMAL Redskins analyst Trevor Matich says he believes the team will look to next month’s NFL draft for a new running back to bolster the offense, but he expects the team to go shopping for players to bolster the secondary, defensive line and offensive line.
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