INDIANAPOLIS — The Washington Redskins have offered linebacker Zach Brown a new contract.
Redskins senior vice president of player personnel Doug Williams said Wednesday they are waiting to hear back from Brown’s agents about the deal. Brown is perhaps the Redskins’ top free agent following Kirk Cousins.
“We made Zach an offer a long time ago, and we’re just waiting on Zach more than anything,” Williams said. “We haven’t heard anything, so it’s basically up to them to start the negotiation for it.”
Brown had a huge impact for the Redskins’ defense in 13 games last season. He had 127 tackles, which led the league at the time, before missing the final three games with an Achilles injury.
The Redskins signed Brown to a one-year, $2.3 million contract last April, proving to be one of the better “bargain” signings in the league. Redskins coach Jay Gruden expressed his desire for Brown to return, especially given the team’s lack of depth at linebacker.
In January, the Redskins gave linebacker Mason Foster a two-year, $3.4 million contract before he could hit the market. Foster, 28, proved to play well next to Brown, but underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in late October..
Besides Brown, backup and former Will Compton is also a free agent.
Brown gave the Redskins an element of speed they previously lacked, and Gruden praised his tackling ability.
“We can give them whatever number we would like to give out there, but [if] we don’t get a number back, that’s not negotiating,” Williams said.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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