The Redskins have interest in retaining both linebacker Zach Brown and cornerback Bashaud Breeland, according to Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
This isn’t the first time Washington’s preference of keeping Brown has been made public, but Anderson reports the 28-year-old linebacker is searching for top-three inside linebacker money. Currently, the three highest-paid inside ‘backers — Luke Kuechly, Bobby Wagner, and Alec Ogletree — all earn at least $10.5MM annually. Brown, notably, has been forced to settle for cheap one-year deals in each of the past two offseasons. In 2017, he landed only a $2.55 contract with the Redskins, and he’s now one year older and coming off an arguably less productive campaign.
Breeland, meanwhile, had been thought to be ready to test the open market, but the Redskins would re-sign him “at the right price,” per Anderson. A fourth-round pick in the 2014 draft, Breeland has been a starter from day one, and has managed eight interceptions over the course of his career. In 2017, Breeland ranked 14th among 81 cornerbacks in Football Outsiders’ success rate, but graded as Pro Football Focus‘ No. 54 CB among 121 qualifiers.
While Brown and Breeland could be in Washington’s 2018 plans, the same can’t be said for free agent receiver Terrelle Pryor. The Redskins will likely allow Pryor to reach free agency and gauge his market, a source tells Anderson (Twitter link). That should come as no surprise given that Pryor flopped with the Redskins after inking a one-year, $6MM last season. In nine games, the 28-year-old Pryor posted only 20 receptions for 240 yards and one touchdown.