Zach Brown - Pro Football Rumors

Cardinals Activate Max Garcia, Cut Zach Brown

November 6th, 2019 at 12:27pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Cardinals have announced a series of roster moves including the activation of guard Max Garcia from the physically unable to perform list. Arizona has also placed defensive tackle Clinton McDonald on injured reserve and released linebacker Zach Brown.

Garcia, a fourth-round pick of the Broncos in 2015, signed with the Cardinals this offseason while still recovering from an ACL tear. A regular starter during his time with Denver, Garcia is expected to become a reserve for Arizona. Per the club, Garcia will likely act as the Cardinals’ top backup interior lineman on Sunday.

McDonald, 32, is now in the midst of his ninth NFL campaign. The Memphis product spent time with the Bengals, Seahawks, Buccaneers, Broncos, and Raiders before landing with the Cardinals this offseason. McDonald had appeared in every game for Arizona this year, typically playing 20% of the club’s defensive snaps. He’s going on IR with a neck injury.

Arizona had just signed Brown last week to add depth to its linebacker unit, but he’s already out of a job. Brown inked a one-year, $3MM deal with the Eagles in May after being released by the Redskins in March, but was cut after six games in Philadelphia.

Cardinals Sign LB Zach Brown

November 1st, 2019 at 3:44pm CST by Zachary Links

Zach Brown has a new home. On Friday, the Cardinals signed the veteran linebacker, per a club announcement.

The deal gives the Cardinals some much needed help and adds to the Cardinals’ collection of ex-Eagles ILBs. With Brown, Joe Walker, and Jordan Hicks on the roster, they’ve got three former Iggles on board.

Brown, a second-round pick of the Titans in 2012, was cut by the Eagles in October after he wrote checks that his tuchus couldn’t cash. Before all of that, he turned in a solid 2018 season with the Redskins and earned a spot as a Pro Bowl replacement in 2016 with the Bills.

For his career, Brown has 80 starts, 17.5 sacks, and seven interceptions to his credit. He’ll look to build on that in Arizona and add to his 2019 total of 29 tackles.

Brown will take the roster spot of running back Alfred Morris, who was cut loose earlier in the day. Morris, who had a super short stay with the Cardinals, will be subject to the waiver wire as a post-deadline cut.

Eagles Cut LB Zach Brown

October 14th, 2019 at 5:43pm CST by Zachary Links

The Eagles have released linebacker Zach Brown, according to a team press release. The Eagles D came up short against the Vikings – after Brown ran his mouth a bit – and, now, Brown is no longer part of the team.

Brown was released by the Redskins back in March and scooped up by the Birds soon after on a one-year, $3MM deal. Unfortunately for him, he only got to see his old team once this year – the Eagles’ second showdown with the Redskins won’t take place until December.

Brown was supposed to help replace inside linebacker Jordan Hicks this year, but didn’t meet the Eagles’ expectations. The 29-year-old started in all six games before his release and registered 29 tackles in total.

Brown received extremely high grades from Pro Football Focus last year, grading out as their third best linebacker overall behind only Bobby Wagner and Luke Kuechly. It stands to reason that he won’t be out of work for long, though, as this past offseason taught us, he probably won’t secure the bag.

Redskins Rumors: Gruden, Keenum, Brown

October 9th, 2019 at 5:48pm CST by Sam Robinson

Jay Gruden does not anticipate returning to the sideline this season but will look at re-entering the coaching carousel in 2020, John Keim of ESPN.com reports. Gruden’s Redskins contract runs through the 2020 season. The former Bengals offensive coordinator has not ruled out returning to an OC post, if no franchise wants to give him the keys just yet. The recently fired Washington HC, who half-expected his firing to come after the Redskins’ Week 4 loss to the Giants, also addressed reports of discord between his staff and the team’s front office.

“I have mixed emotions about it,” Gruden said of the personnel issues, via Keim. “At the end of the day, if you’re not the GM, you have to accept the fact that you don’t get everything you want. You accept the players given to you. I had input in some areas, but there are some major issues there. It’s that way with most coaches. You don’t have that total say. It’s something you have to overcome and work with the guys you have.”

Here is the latest out of Washington, shifting first to how the team plans to handle its quarterback situation going forward:

New Redskins interim head coach Bill Callahan is expected to turn the starting quarterback job back over to Case Keenum, provided that his injured foot allows him to play (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). The Redskins have a date with Miami next, a match between two of the league’s 2019 cellar dwellers. Washington started Colt McCoy against New England and used Dwayne Haskins for much of its Week 4 loss to the Giants. Haskins still figures to see more time as a rookie, but for now, Washington will turn back to its Week 1 starter.
While Haskins hovered at the epicenter of one of the reported disputes between Washington’s staff and front office, current Eagles linebacker Zach Brown was the subject of another debate. After the 2017 season spent on a one-year deal with Washington, Brown had garnered consistently high Pro Football Focus marks but could not entice a team to hand him a long-term deal. Gruden and his staff wanted to let Brown walk, but the Redskins instead re-signed him at three years and $24MM, Albert Breer of SI.com notes. Brown made it one year into that contract, with the Redskins returning the former Titans and Bills ‘backer to free agency earlier this year. The Redskins are carrying $3MM in dead money this year because of the Brown release.
Despite the Redskins profiling as one of the league’s most dysfunctional organizations, Rex Ryan said he would sign up if it was offered to him. During an appearance on ESPN’s Get Up, the former Jets and Bills HC said “of course” he’d take a job that “people are going to be lined up for,” via Earl Forcey of 106.7 The Fan (video link). The Bills fired Ryan in December 2016, late in his second Buffalo season. The Redskins currently employ his brother, Rob Ryan, as inside linebackers coach. But with a new staff likely taking over in 2020, that setup may well be in its final months.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Eagles Sign LB Zach Brown

May 3rd, 2019 at 8:09am CST by Andrew Ortenberg

Zach Brown has found a new home. The linebacker is signing a one-year, $3MM deal with the Eagles, per Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com (Twitter link).

Brown was released by the Redskins back in March, and he’s staying in the NFC East. He’ll now get a chance at revenge against his old team twice a year. Washington tried to shop him in trade talks before cutting him, but they were unable to find a partner. Inside linebacker Jordan Hicks left Philly for Arizona this offseason, and Brown will help replace him in the middle.

Brown received extremely high grades from Pro Football Focus last year, grading out as their third best linebacker overall behind only Bobby Wagner and Luke Kuechly. NFL evaluators evidently weren’t as high on his play. In 16 games and 12 starts last year, Brown racked up 96 tackles, ten for a loss, and one sack with two forced fumbles.

Originally drafted in the second round out of North Carolina back in 2012, Brown spent the first four years of his career with Tennessee. He then signed a one-year deal with Buffalo for 2016. The Redskins re-signed him to a three-year deal worth up to $24MM last March, but he ended up making it just one year into that pact.

Other than a torn pec which cost him most of the 2014 season, Brown has managed to stay pretty healthy during his career, which is good news for the Eagles. Hicks had always been solid, but was plagued by injuries the last couple of seasons.

Redskins To Release LB Zach Brown

March 13th, 2019 at 10:31am CST by Zachary Links

The Redskins are going to release linebacker Zach Brown, a source tells Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter). The Redskins unsuccessfully tried to move Brown in a trade, but he should find plenty of suitors now that he is an unrestricted free agent.

Brown, 30 in October, 96 tackles and one sack as the Redskins’ inside linebacker last season. The advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus were extremely high on him, grading him as the third-best LB in the NFL behind only Bobby Wagner and Luke Kuechly. Brown’s old contract ran through 2020, but it’s now a clean slate for the veteran and any interested clubs.

Brown, ultimately, saw this day coming. Back in December, after clashing with coaches, he said that he expected to be released in the offseason.

“I think they’re just going in a different direction towards everything,” Brown said. “I’m going this direction, they’re going that direction.”

Brown would’ve counted for $8.75M against the Redskins’ cap. Instead, they’ll save $5.75MM while absorbing a dead cap hit of $3MM.

In an offseason that has been extremely lucrative for off-ball linebackers, Brown could be in line for a strong payday.

Redskins Shopping Zach Brown, Mason Foster

March 11th, 2019 at 12:35pm CST by Zachary Links

The Redskins are actively shopping several players in trade talks, including linebackers Zach Brown and Mason Foster, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. Meanwhile, the Redskins are also strong players for Ravens free agent linebacker C.J. Mosley.

Mosley already figured to have a huge market with teams like the 49ers on his tail. The Redskins, meanwhile, figure to make a strong play for him while overhauling their own LB corps.

Brown was solid in his second season with the Redskins, but he also clashed with coaches. In December, Brown said that he expected to be released in the offseason.

“I think they’re just going in a different direction towards everything,” Brown said. “I’m going this direction, they’re going that direction.”

Brown, 29, had 96 tackles and one sack as the Redskins’ inside linebacker last season. The advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus were extremely high on him, grading him as the third-best LB in the NFL behind only Bobby Wagner and Luke Kuechly. Brown’s contract runs through 2020, but teams could still have interest in acquiring him.

Foster, 30, has spent hte last four seasons with the Redskins. He’s dealt with injuries in the past, but he started in all 16 games last season en route to compiling 131 tackles, two interceptions, and a sack.

Zach Brown Expects To Be Cut By Redskins

December 13th, 2018 at 12:36pm CST by Zachary Links

Linebacker Zach Brown doesn’t expect to return to the Redskins in 2019, as Michael Phillips of the Richmond Times-Dispatch writes. Brown is under contract through 2020, but he was pulled from the starting lineup on Sunday and sees that as a sign.

According to coaches, Brown missed his first start of the year because he missed practice during the week. However, the linebacker says that doesn’t wash.

“I mean, if a guy’s sick, he’s sick,” Brown said. “What was I supposed to do, go out there and throw up for you? I had a stomach virus. Wasn’t nothing I can do. Last year I didn’t practice at all until Friday or Saturday with my knee injury, so it’s kind of contradictory what they’re saying.”

Brown joined the Redskins on a three-year, $21MM deal in March, but the Redskins can save $5.75MM by releasing him this offseason. The move would leave them with $3MM in dead money, but Brown believes the Redskins will make that tradeoff.

“I think they’re just going in a different direction towards everything,” Brown said. “I’m going this direction, they’re going that direction. I’ll talk to them, but right now I’ve just got to focus on beating Jacksonville.”

The 6-7 Redskins still have a 10% chance of reaching the playoffs, according to Five Thirty Eight, but they’ll need a few breaks plus three straight wins against the Jaguars, Titans, and Eagles to salvage the season. With journeyman Josh Johnson under center, that may be tough to pull off. If the Redskins fall short, major changes are likely coming, and that could include parting ways with Brown.

Contract Details: A. Smith, Pugh, Curry, ASJ

March 20th, 2018 at 8:31pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Let’s take a look at the details of a few recently signed NFL contracts:

AFC

Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE (Jaguars): Two years, $10MM. $4MM guaranteed. $3.21MM signing bonus. $500K 2019 option bonus. $500K annually available via catch, playoff, and touchdown incentives (Twitter link via Wilson).
Adrian Clayborn, DE (Patriots): Two years, $10MM. $5.5MM guaranteed. $4MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Ben Volin of the Boston Globe).
Albert Wilson, WR (Dolphins): Three years, $24MMM. $14.45MM guaranteed. $4.5MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Wilson).
Marcus Gilchrist, S (Raiders): One year, $4MM. $3.85MM guaranteed. $1.85MM signing bonus. $1MM available via playtime, interceptions, and Pro Bowl incentives (Twitter link via Wilson).
Tramaine Brock, CB (Broncos): One year, $3MM. Fully guaranteed. $1MM signing bonus. $1MM available via playtime incentives (Twitter link via Mike Klis of 9News).
Seantrel Henderson, T (Texans): One year, $4MM. $1MM guaranteed. $500K signing bonus (Twitter link via Wilson).

NFC

Alex Smith, QB (Redskins): Four years, $94MM. $55MM guaranteed. $27MM signing bonus (Twitter links via Tom Pelissero of NFL.com and Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com).
Justin Pugh, OL (Cardinals): Five years, $45.025MM. $15.75MM guaranteed. $10MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle).
Vinny Curry, DE (Buccaneers): Three years, $23MM. $6.5MM guaranteed (Twitter link via Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times).
Zach Brown, LB (Redskins): Three years, $21MM. $10MM guaranteed. $4.5MM signing bonus. $1MM annually available in Pro Bowl, All-Pro incentives (Twitter link via Wilson).
Ed Dickson, TE (Seahawks): Three years, $10.7MM. $3.6MM guaranteed. $2.6MM signing bonus. $1.1MM annually available via catch, yards, and Pro Bowl incentive (Twitter link via Wilson).
Aaron Lynch, LB/DE (Bears): One year, $4MM. $1.25MM guaranteed. $1MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Wilson).

Redskins Re-Sign LB Zach Brown

March 15th, 2018 at 3:58pm CST by Zachary Links

Zach Brown isn’t going anywhere. The Redskins have re-signed the free agent inside linebacker, according to JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington (on Twitter). It’s a three-year deal worth up to $24MM, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

Brown ranked as our No. 3 ranked linebacker heading into free agency, behind only Nigel Bradham and NaVorro Bowman. Bradham has since re-signed with the Eagles on a five-year, $40MM deal. Bowman, meanwhile, continues to look for his next team and with the incumbent Raiders having interest. Brown’s deal with the Redskins could facilitate a return to Oakland for Bowman.

Brown racked up 127 tackles last year and was vocal about his desire for a better deal. Last year, he settled for a one-year, $2.55MM deal with the Redskins. He’s back in D.C., this time with a pay bump.

In his first campaign with Washington, Brown appeared in 13 games and played on roughly three-quarters of the team’s defensive snaps. Pro Football Focus graded Brown as the league’s No. 51 linebacker among 88 qualifiers, a steep drop off from his 2017 production. As a unit, Washington’s defense ranked 29th in rush defense DVOA. Still, advanced analytics only mean so much to NFL front offices and Brown’s value was evident to the Redskins.