Redskins Won’t Franchise Brian Orakpo, Still Working On New Contract

Update:

Dianna Marie Russini reports that while free agent OLB Brian Orakpo and the Redskins are trying to work out a deal, other NFL teams that she’s spoken to are showing “significant interest” in him.

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To no surprise, Dianna Marie Russini reports that the Redskins won’t use their franchise tag on free agent OLB Brian Orakpo before Monday’s deadline.

Doing so would cost Washington $13.195 million fully guaranteed for the 2015 season, which is just way too much money for a player coming off of another season lost to injury.

Russini adds that the two sides are still working a new contract before the start of free agency, so there appears to be at least a chance he could be back in Washington next year.

ESPN’s John Keim recently reported that the Redskins met with Orakpo’s agent at the Scouting Combine and expressed interest in re-signing him.

Although, Keim added there’s still a “long way to go” in regards to Orakpo and sources mentioned that they do not expect him back in Washington.

The idea of Orakpo departing in free agency has been talked about for several months now, and dates back to October of last year when was placed on injured reserve with a torn right pectoral.

Orakpo, 28, played out the 2014 season under the team’s franchise tag and is once again in line to be an unrestricted free agent. Last year, he made a salary of  $11.455 million.

In 2014, Orakpo recorded 24 tackles, a half sack and a pass defense over the course of seven games.

We have him listed as the No. 23 player in our Top 100 Free Agents list.