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Our look at what has been happening in free agency around the NFC East continues today as we take a look at the Washington Redskins. Miss our recap of the Philadelphia Eagles? No worry, you can find it here.
Washington Redskins
Last year: 3-13, last place in the NFC East
How season ended: Drama…drama…and more drama. After Washington closed 2012 with such promise, 2013 brought nothing but disappointment. Robert Griffin III had a massive sophomore slump, the defense struggled and Washington finished with the second worst record in the NFL. To make matters worse, that No. 2 pick in the draft the Redskins earned doesn’t even belong to them, that’s property of the St. Louis Rams as part of the RGIII trade.
2013 storyline: The owner hated the coach, the coach hated the owner and the quarterback hated the coach. For 17 weeks, Washington could have followed "Days of our Lives" in the midday. New head coach Jay Gruden has his hands full as he tries to fix RGIII and repair a broken offense.
Free agent losses: Washington cut Adam Carriker and Sav Rocca, while Will Montgomery, J.D. Walton and Darryl Tapp weren’t retained. Captain linebacker London Fletcher retired.
Additions: Finally out from underneath its cap penalty enforced over the last two years when Washington back-loaded several contracts in a non-cap year, the Redskins had some money to play with this offseason. The team signed Bruce Campbell, Tracy Porter, Jason Hatcher, Andre Roberts, Shawn Lauvao, Adam Hayward, Clifton Geathers and Jake Rogers. It resigned Chris Baker, Perry Riley, DeAngelo Hall, Jose Gumbs and Aldrick Robinson while franchise-tagging Brian Orakpo.
Still need: Washington could use another wideout opposite Pierre Garćon, some line help and also a pass rusher. It also needs to find a replacement for Fletcher, both on the field and in the locker room.
Outlook: In Jay Gruden’s first season as head coach, it’s difficult to know exactly what’s to come. If RGII progresses, the defense holds up and the ball bounces Washington’s way, the team could compete in the East. If RGIII, now in his third year, continues to digress, it’ll be more of the same in 2014 for the Redskins.
Offseason grade thus far: C+