When ranking the position groups across the Washington Redskins’ roster, it’s easy to see that the defensive line is far and away the best on the team. What’s special about that group as well is that they’re not paid like the best group on the team — far from it, in fact. According to Spotrac, Washington is spending just over $21 million in salary to their top six defensive linemen, with $11.5 million of that going to Ryan Kerrigan.
While they may be cheap now, the Redskins also know that there are some needed extensions looming. Jonathan Allen will be up for negotiation this year, with Daron Payne, Montez Sweat, and Chase Young in the following couple of years as well. Matt Ioannidis is signed through 2022 after signing a three-year extension last season.
The Redskins are equipped to handle this, as they are projected to have about $86.8 million in salary-cap space next season, leaving them ample room to negotiate and retain players. So who might sign an extension with Washington, and when are they eligible to do so? Let’s break it down, the best we can.
Jonathan Allen
UFA: 2022
The Redskins exercised their fifth-year option on Allen, who is due over $10 million in 2021 alone. However, the team will likely work to sign him to an extension in the coming months or year, as he stands as one of the main leaders of the defense, and the front line revolves around his production. When looking at the DT market across the rest of the league, it’s not crazy to think that Allen could potentially resign with the team for somewhere around $15 million per season.
Daron Payne
UFA: 2023
Payne is still playing on his rookie contract, and the Redskins will likely exercise his fifth-year option in 2021 to keep him around. However, after that, he will need to be paid, and his talent and production don’t slot him far behind Allen as far as contracts go. The next year will be big as far as learning just what a difference-maker Payne can be on this team, and he has a chance to make himself a lot of money.
Matt Ioannidis
UFA: 2023
After signing a three-year extension ahead of the 2019 season, Ioannidis stepped up to become one of the most valuable players on the Redskins defense, seeing as he led the team in sacks last season while making only $1.25 million. His salary jumps up to over $4 million this season and will climb over $6 million in 2022, but when you consider the type of numbers he’s been putting up, that’s a huge steal for Washington.
Montez Sweat
UFA: 2024
Ah, the benefits of a rookie deal. Sweat, who is expected to be one of the better players on the Redskins defense this season, is due to make just over a million dollars this year, and the highest his rookie contract goes is to just over $2 million in 2022. Should everything continue to progress as it currently is, Sweat will have his rookie option picked up, and the team will likely try to re-sign him down the road. However, with his UFA period not coming for another four years, it’s nearly impossible to predict where the DE market will be at that time. Just enjoy his cheap work while you can.
Chase Young
UFA: 2025
Much of the same can be said for Young, who will be getting severely underpaid this season, assuming he lives up to all of his expectations. On the open market, Young could likely make upwards of $10 million per year, if not $15 million. Instead, the Redskins will get him for pennies on the dollar. His year-by-year salary has yet to be released, but projections have him making approximately $34.6 million on his rookie deal in total.
Ryan Kerrigan
UFA: 2021
Kerrigan’s contract is the toughest to swallow on the Redskins defensive line, but if he is able to up his production a bit in 2020 and find a new role on the defense, it will be easier to manage. Due over $11 million this year alone, the Redskins have a decision to make when it comes to an extension or new deal in the future, as he’s up for negotiation next year.
