The Redskins have released long time linebacker Mason Foster right as players were reporting for training camp. This comes as a surprise as he comes off a career year, was a captain on defense last season, and hurts the depth at the inside linebacker position especially after losing Reuben Foster for the season with a knee injury.
Foster signed with the Redskins back in 2015 after having played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2011-2015 and signed with the Chicago Bears during the 2015 offseason, but was then released after their final roster cuts. He was expected to be a backup inside linebacker for the Redskins, but injuries to Perry Riley allowed him to start the last five games of the season and was a key factor in the Redskins’ run to the playoffs. He finished with 37 combined tackles, 25 solo, in 13 games played and even recorded nine combined tackles in the playoff loss to Green Bay. After the season, Foster signed a two year contract and competed for an inside linebacker job during training camp and preseason. He ultimately won one of the two inside linebacker jobs and had an outstanding 2016 with 124 combined tackles, 89 solo, three pass deflections and a sack in 16 games. In 2017, he once again competed for an inside linebacker job and won it. His season would be cut short early as he went on the injured reserve. He had 31 combined tackles, 22 solo, a pass deflection, one interception, and a half a sack. Foster re-signed with the club for two more years and had a career year in 2018. He had 131 combined tackles, 81 solo, four pass deflections, two interceptions, and a sack.
Despite it being a surprise, there might be a few reasons why Foster was released. One being that he is 30 and the team wants to go younger at the position. Another is that they are saving $4 million in salary cap money, which brings it to $12 million overall. The third might be because the team was so impressed with some of the younger players they have been developing like Shaun Dion Hamilton, Josh Harvey-Clemons, and Cole Holcomb, plus the signing of Jon Bostic, made Foster expendable. And lastly, the team probably is trying to save some money for either leverage into trying to bring back left tackle Trent Williams, who is currently on a contract hold out, or to sign a player to replace Williams. They might even be trying to save money for a contract extension with guard Brandon Scherff. Whatever the move might be, it should be a big one.
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