Washington Redskins wideout Josh Doctson has been saying and doing all the right things this offseason.
Doctson has stood strong despite the Redskins declining his fifth-year option, saying he doesn’t feel any extra pressure because of it. Now he’s telling reporters who ask about his long-term outlook that he knows a trip to market could be in the cards.
“I think I’m hitting free agency next year. I won’t be the first, won’t be the last,” Doctson said, according to ESPN’s John Keim. “It’s nothing to be sad about, be mad about. Someone wants you there, so it’s all love.”
It doesn’t have to be this way, of course. Should Doctson have a big season and finally start to reach toward lofty expectations based on his draft slot, the Redskins likely wouldn’t be against opening up the checkbook and preventing him from going to free agency.
That’s a big “if” based on Doctson’s play so far. But a few system tweaks to accommodate new quarterbacks and his continued development could always change things for Doctson.
And there is something else in there: if Doctson is playing well and has a good rapport with Dwayne Haskins, it’s in the team’s best interest to get him an extension and keep that going.
A lot has to fall in place, clearly. But Doctson doesn’t seem impacted by the reality of it too much, as his play will do the talking.
