The Washington Redskins agreed to a multi-year contract Tuesday with safety Deshazor Everett, the team announced.
Everett, 26, was set to be a restricted free agent. He played 14 games last season, starting a career-high eight. He is also a core member of the Redskins’ special teams.
Everett helped step in and fill the void at strong safety last season. After Su’a Cravens left the team prior to Week 1, Everett played 98 percent of the defensive snaps against the Philadelphia Eagles. His playing time, though, decreased as fourth-round rookie Montae Nicholson started to excel next to D.J. Swearinger.
Everett was forced back into the starting lineup when Nicholson, already dealing with shoulder issues, suffered a season-ending concussion. Everett started the last six weeks of the season and finished 2017 with a career-high 589 defensive snaps.
An undrafted 2015 free agent, he’s expected to add depth and continue to contribute on special teams.
Everett first joined the Redskins in August 2015 after a brief stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Last week, coach Jay Gruden said Washington needs to “another piece” at the position this offseason. He added they want to get Swearinger back to playing more free safety.
“D.J., I think when we have a defined role for him, I think he’ll be much better and much more comfortable,” Gruden said. “Having to play free, strong, make all the calls, I think we put a little bit too much on his plate. Not that he couldn’t handle it, but I’d like to try to identify his role a little bit more clear this year instead of having to move him around.”
The Redskins still have Cravens, but his long-term future in Washington is unclear.
In addition to re-signing Everett, the Redskins waived tackle Kevin Bowen and running backs Kenny Hilliard and Dare Ogunbowale.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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