Ron Rivera and the Washington Redskins know that they likely won’t be a world-beating team in 2020 — and they’re okay with that. What they’re focused on is building for the future, and ensuring that they can compete in the coming years, 2021 and beyond.
To do so, the Redskins will have to identify the talent that they want to build around, and try to get it for cheap, as well. They already have a couple of solid draft classes to build around, with players like Terry McLaurin, Montez Sweat, Daron Payne, Dwayne Haskins, and Cole Holcomb all on cheap deals for the next few years. To add to that, all of their free-agent signings have been short-term, prove-it type contracts as well. Look at the length of these deals they’ve signed so far.
- CB Ronald Darby — 1-year contract
- FS Sean Davis — 1-year contract
- LB Thomas Davis — 1-year contract
- RB Peyton Barber — 2-year contract
- RB J.D. McKissic — 2-year contract
- TE Richard Rodgers — 1-year contract
That’s just a small sample size, but you get the idea. The Redskins are looking for players with a chip on their shoulder who might not have found a solid fit yet in the NFL, and they’re giving them a chance to earn their future in Washington.
This is a win-win situation for the Redskins. If they find a diamond in the rough for cheap, they get great value; if the player fails to perform up to expectation, they aren’t tied to them for the future. In a rebuilding year where it will be hard to make the playoffs in the NFC, the Redskins are setting out to identify their core pieces going forward, and build the franchise around them. If you can show you’re worth it, you just might get paid in the future. If not, thanks for stopping by, good luck elsewhere.
