Washington Redskins linebacker forced to play on franchise tag after failing to agree long term deal.
Washington Redskins outside linebacker Brian Orakpo signed a franchise tag in March, but he was hoping to sign a long-term contract with the Redskins. However, the deadline to sign franchise-tagged players has passed, so he will have to play on the franchise tag. The franchise tag for outside linebackers is worth $11.45 million.
Orakpo refused to hold out to sign a new deal, but he has expressed his desire to remain with the Redskins for the long haul.
“I’m here for my teammates and I’m going to go out there and work extremely hard,” Orakpo said. “Hopefully I can continue my career (here),” he told NFL.com.
He finished last season with 10 sacks, falling just short of his career high, which was 11 in his rookie season.
Although the talent and production are there, Orakpo carries an injury risk since he missed the majority of the 2012 season with a pectoral injury.
If the Redskins are unable to sign him to a new deal by the end of the season, he may hit the open market. If the Redskins were to tag him again next offseason, he would cost about $13.74 million.
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