Daryl Washington - Pro Football Rumors

This Date In Transactions History: Cardinals Cut Daryl Washington

May 11th, 2020 at 7:14pm CST by Zachary Links

On this date in 2017, the Cardinals released linebacker Daryl Washington. This wasn’t the first time a player with a Pro Bowl pedigree was released, and it won’t be the last, but this transaction was notable for a different reason. At this point, Washington had not played a single down of football since the final week of the 2013 season.

Washington racked up an eye-popping 134 tackles in 2012, including nine sacks. And, in 2013, he was still reasonably productive with 75 tackles and three sacks in 12 games. Unfortunately, he made more headlines for his repeated bans and mishaps. Washington was suspended for four games in 2013, then was banned for all of 2014 after yet another substance abuse violation. He was also arrested in the ’13 offseason on two counts of aggravated assault against his one-time spouse.

A few years later, when Washington was finally reinstated by the league, the Cardinals were not interested in a reunion, even though he was still only 30 years old at the time. When Arizona rejected the TCU product, he went on a public campaign to stir up interest from the Cowboys.

“Why not be a Cowboy?” Washington said. “I’m settled in here. It’s home. Let’s try to get one this year. Come on Mr. [Jerry] Jones, you’ll be glad you took a chance on me. We’ll hold up that Lombardi Trophy together.”

Mr. Jones has taken his fair share of gambles before, but he wasn’t interested in Mr. Washington. We haven’t heard much from Washington since, and it’s unlikely that we’ll see him on the field again.

Cowboys Not Interested In Daryl Washington

August 28th, 2017 at 1:16pm CST by Zachary Links

Daryl Washington has been lobbying hard to sign with the Cowboys, but it’s just not happening. The Cowboys have no interest in signing the troubled veteran and are happy with their current group of linebackers as-is, Clarence Hill of the Dallas Morning News (on Twitter) hears.

Earlier this summer, Washington detailed his vision for a comeback which started with joining the Cowboys and ended with a Hall of Fame induction. The Cowboys have a reputation for rolling the dice on players with checkered backgrounds, but the decision makers in Dallas do not feel that Washington’s promise offsets the potential headaches.

The linebacker was a Pro Bowler in 2012 after recording an eye-popping 134 total tackles with 9.0 sacks. He was productive again in 2013, but he has now been out of the game for three straight NFL seasons thanks to repeated violations of the substance abuse policy.

At this best, Washington was among the league’s top linebackers. Today, it’s hard to see him getting back into the league considering his age, rust, PED history, and alleged history with domestic violence.

Extra Points: Washington, Williams, Chung

June 17th, 2017 at 12:43pm CST by Ben Levine

Daryl Washington hasn’t played in an NFL game since 2013, but a potential comeback attempt got some hope following his reinstatement in April. Now, the 30-year-old isn’t only focused on making it back to the league, but he’s focused on becoming a dominant force.

“[NFL executive Adolpho Birch] asked me, ‘How you know I’m not going to see your face again and you’re not going to be in the same situation?’” Washington told Tom Pelissero of USA Today. “I said, ‘Adolpho Birch, next time you’re going to see me is if you’re at my Hall of Fame speech.’”

In fact, Washington has even outlined how the entire comeback attempt will play out. The Dallas native wants to sign with the Cowboys, win the Comeback Player of the Year award, earn a Pro Bowl birth, and lead his team to a Super Bowl championship.

“I think that star will be on my helmet real soon and it’s going to be a great moment, man,” he said.

“You’ve got to have your mind in a positive place, say ‘I can do this.’ In my mind, I already know I can do it. I don’t know if that’s pride, ego, cockiness, but it’s confidence for me. I know I can play to the best of my abilities. Football is easy. Life is challenging.”

Let’s take a look at some other notes on this Saturday afternoon:

Meanwhile, free agent defensive back Tramon Williams said he’s willing to play multiple positions if it means he could join a contender. “The team I’m looking for is stable and wants to win,” he told SiriusXM NFL Radio (via Twitter). “I’m ready to help a team at cornerback or safety.”
Williams also indicated that he was ready to give up on the Browns during the 2016 season. “There was a point during the season last year where I wanted to be released,” he said. The 34-year-old appeared in 12 games (seven starts) last season, compiled 36 tackles, five passes defended, and one interception – his lowest totals since 2007.
Patriots safety Patrick Chung was given “a chance” to earn an additional $800K in incentives this upcoming season, according to ESPN.com’s Field Yates (via Twitter). This will now bring the veteran’s potential incentives total to $1.7MM. Chung, who has two years remaining on his contract, compiled 91 tackles in 16 starts for New England last season.

NFC Notes: Cowboys, Giants, Cards, Lions

June 8th, 2017 at 5:58pm CST by Zachary Links

Free agent linebacker Daryl Washington says that he has been in conversations with a few clubs, though he hopes to land with his “hometown team,” the Cowboys (Twitter link via SiriusXM). In an interview on Wednesday, Washington made a case for why the Cowboys should sign him. It’s not clear if Dallas has real interest in the linebacker, particularly since he has not played a down of football since 2013. On the flipside, he was a Pro Bowl caliber player when he was at his best in Arizona.

More on Dallas and a few other NFC clubs:

The Giants regard Paul Perkins a three-down running back, per ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, who points out that their opinion of Perkins explains why they didn’t make a splash at the position in free agency. Perkins averaged 4.1 yards per carry on 112 attempts during his rookie year and is now the clear favorite to start over the likes of Shane Vereen, Orleans Darkwa, Shaun Draughn and Wayne Gallman. “I really like what Paul Perkins has been doing so far,” said RBs coach Craig Johnson. “He ended last season playing like a guy that is ready to take over the job. There is nothing so far in the offseason to show he’s not going to be able to handle that role. But that is today. It’s a long way from today to the opening game.”
Cardinals GM Steve Keim says he’s still looking to add a handful of veterans to the mix this summer, as Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com writes. “(Team president) Michael [Bidwill] and I talked about six to eight players, who are still on the street, who could potentially come in and help us,” Keim said in an appearance on Arizona Sports 98.7. Urban speculates that Arizona could look into reinforcements at cornerback or even guard if Evan Boehm doesn’t keep moving forward. A running back could also be in order if Andre Ellington and/or Eli Penny disappoint.
The Cowboys will not be signing any of the players that auditioned for them on Thursday, according to Clarence Hill Jr. of the Star Telegram (on Twitter). That group included quarterback Ryan Nassib and safety Jeron Johnson. The Cowboys will stick with Zac Dysert as a third-string QB for the time being.
Wide receiver Jared Abbrederis has emerged as a candidate to earn a roster spot with the Lions since signing a reserve/futures contract in January, according to Kyle Meinke of MLive.com. The former Packer has impressed during OTAs, and the Lions have open spots at receiver behind Golden Tate, Marvin Jones and third-round pick Kenny Golladay. “The guy’s a really good route runner — very, very good just in terms of his ability to find open areas,” coach Jim Caldwell said of Abbrederis. “He has good spatial awareness.” The 26-year-old Abbrederis was a return man during his time at Wisconsin, which could further help his cause in cracking Detroit’s roster, notes Meinke.

Daryl Washington Wants To Play For Cowboys

June 7th, 2017 at 10:21am CST by Zachary Links

The Cowboys have discussed signing Daryl Washington and the interest is apparently mutual. In a conversation with Charean Williams of PFT, Washington made the case for why Dallas should sign him.

“Why not be a Cowboy?” Washington said. “I’m settled in here. It’s home. Let’s try to get one this year. Come on Mr. [Jerry] Jones, you’ll be glad you took a chance on me. We’ll hold up that Lombardi Trophy together.”

Washington has yet to work out for the Cowboys, but Williams hears that the team is still doing its due diligence on the linebacker. After learning that pass rusher David Irving is facing a four-game ban for PEDs, Washington could be a low-cost boost for the front seven, but the Cowboys will want to first glean that he is in football shape. For his part, Washington says that he is the same size (235 pounds) that he was in Arizona and believes that he can be the same type of player even though he has been out of the game for years.

Washington has not played a down of football since the 2013 season, but he accepts responsibility for his own predicament.

“I take full responsibility for everything I went through,” Washington said. “I don’t blame anybody. But I’m not here to talk about it; I’m here to show you what type of person I am now and where I’m trying to go.”

Cowboys Considering LB Daryl Washington

May 23rd, 2017 at 11:10am CST by Zachary Links

Edge rusher David Irving is facing a four-game ban and the Cowboys might replace him with a player who knows all too well about suspensions. The team is doing its homework on recently released linebacker Daryl Washington, according to a team source who spoke with Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (on Twitter).

Washington was suspended indefinitely in 2014 for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy and has not played since Week 17 of the ’13 campaign. The linebacker was reinstated by the league in late April, but the Cardinals were not interested in keeping him – at least, not at the salary that was dictated by his contract.

The linebacker was a Pro Bowler in 2012 after recording an eye-popping 134 total tackles with 9.0 sacks. He was productive again in 2013, but he has now been out of the game for three straight NFL seasons. The Cowboys may see Washington as a low-risk, high-reward type of player since he’ll be hard pressed to find a big money deal at this juncture.

For his part, Washington claims that he is a changed man who will not run afoul of the league’s rules.

“Obviously, from a standpoint I’ve grown and matured over the years of being able to kind of really appreciate life and appreciate the game that I took for granted at one point,” Washington said recently. “When you feel like you’re on top of the world. When you’re on that pedestal, you feel like everything is easy and nothing would happen. But once it’s taken away from you, you really feel that much more grateful for the opportunity to just say, you know what, I really took these things for granted so when I get back now it’s time to go even harder. At this point in my life, I feel much better mentally, physically, spiritually and I’m in that right mind frame.”

The Cowboys are first known team to consider Washington since he was released roughly one month ago.

Extra Points: QBs, Bears, LA, D. Washington

May 18th, 2017 at 9:02pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

With Josh McCown, Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty comprising their top three signal-callers, the Jets project to have the worst quarterback situation in the NFL in 2017, opines Dan Graziano of ESPN.com. Meanwhile, the Bears also sit toward the bottom (28th) despite an offseason that has included a couple big splashes under center. Chicago added Mike Glennon in free agency and then used the second overall pick in the draft on former North Carolina QB Mitch Trubisky, though he could have a hard time getting on the field as a rookie. “Mike would have to really mess up” to lose the job to Trubisky this year, a Bears source informed Graziano, who unsurprisingly places the Patriots No. 1 in his team QB rankings. The reigning Super Bowl champions feature both the league’s premier starter (Tom Brady) and its best backup (Jimmy Garoppolo).

Cardinals Had Interest In Daryl Washington

May 11th, 2017 at 1:13pm CST by Zachary Links

The Cardinals have parted ways with linebacker Daryl Washington, but they did have some level of interest in retaining him. A source with knowledge of the talks between the two sides tells Mike Florio of PFT that the Cardinals would have liked to retain Washington, but it sounds like they could not agree on terms.

Washington was regarded as a top linebacker when he was last on the field, but that was three years ago. The Cardinals would not be penciling the veteran in for a starting role, particularly after an offseason which they added linebacker Haason Reddick with the No. 13 overall pick. Reading between the lines, it seems like Arizona balked at the idea of paying Washington $2.9MM in 2017, per the terms of his previous deal. However, they might have offered him something closer to the veteran’s minimum with low or no guarantees on the deal. Washington has been without football income since the 2013 season, so that wouldn’t be a palatable arrangement for him.

“I want to thank the Cardinals organization, especially Mr. [Michael] Bidwell and Steve Keim for drafting and believing in me, and their continued support,” Washington said in a statement. “We’ve had some really positive and productive discussions this week, and at the end of the day we mutually agreed it was best for both sides to get a fresh start. I’m in the best shape of my life, and very much look forward to the next opportunity, where I will again play at an All-Pro level and help my team make a championship run.”

For months, we had been hearing that the Cardinals had no interest in a reunion with Washington. Apparently, that’s not entirely true. The Cardinals’ interest in putting Washington on the field may not be major news now that they are going their separate ways, but it may be a sign that he still has something left in the tank. If that’s the case, then he might have a good chance of suiting up for one of the other 31 teams this year.

Cardinals Release LB Daryl Washington

May 11th, 2017 at 12:35pm CST by Zachary Links

The Cardinals are moving on from Daryl Washington. Arizona announced on Thursday that the linebacker has been released.

“After meeting with Daryl Washington, we have collectively decided it is best to release Daryl and give him the opportunity to continue his career elsewhere,” the team said in a statement.

Washington has not played a down of football since Week 17 of the 2013 season. After missing three consecutive years thanks to his repeated violations of the substance abuse policy, the Cardinals were not expected to welcome him back even after he was granted reinstatement.

Now, Washington is free to seek employment elsewhere but he’s unlikely to find a team willing to give him guaranteed money or a salary to match the $2.9MM he was set to earn this season. Still, given his background as a productive player and a Pro Bowler, he should still get a camp invite or at least a tryout from some team out there.

Washington, 30, had 134 tackles and nine sacks in 2012, his last complete NFL season. In 2013, he was still productive with 75 tackles and three sacks in 12 games.

Cardinals Rumors: Washington, Bidwill

May 10th, 2017 at 11:30am CST by Zachary Links

Cardinals linebacker Daryl Washington met with the team on Monday, according to Kent Somers of The Arizona Republic, but it’s not yet known how the meeting went. Washington has been cleared by the league to return to football but the Cardinals reportedly are not interested in taking him back. Technically speaking, the linebacker is under contract with the team through 2020 because his contract was frozen during his suspension. However, he has been out of football for years and it’s unlikely that Arizona or any other club would be willing to pay him the $2.9MM he is due in 2017.

Here’s more on Washington and other Cards news:

Cardinals president Michael Bidwill tells Alex Marvez of SiriusXM (on Twitter) he expects a decision “fairly soon” on whether the team will keep Washington.
When asked why the team didn’t draft a potential successor for Carson Palmer, Bidwill said, “We’ve got time on the quarterback situation,” (Twitter link). Heading into the draft, the Cardinals were widely linked to quarterback Patrick Mahomes, but the Chiefs moved up to the No. 10 pick and selected him before Arizona could get the chance at No. 13. Fellow top quarterback Deshaun Watson also came off the board before their first pick but they later passed up the opportunity to take other top signal callers like Notre Dame’s DeShone Kizer and Cal’s Davis Webb. Palmer, 37, is under contract through 2018.
On Tuesday, the Cardinals signed cornerback Jumal Rolle.