ESPN: Redskins-Trotter Deal Imminent

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Both sides agree a deal is imminent


By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com


The Washington Redskins late Thursday night moved to within striking distance of a contract accord with middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, the former Philadelphia Eagles star defender.

ESPN.com has learned that, barring complications, an agreement will be completed on Friday morning. The acquisition of Trotter would provide Washington a third linebacker with Pro Bowl credentials. He would join strongside linebacker LaVar Arrington and weakside 'backer Jessie Armstead in the Redskins lineup.

But since the Redskins have to this point failed to pull the trigger at various junctures when a deal seemed imminent, all of the progress made in Thursday negotiations could still evaporate, and Trotter likely the would pursue a contract with the Houston Texans or Green Bay Packers.

Both sides seem confident, however, that an agreement is imminent.

Assuming the deal is completed, the contract will be for seven years and will void to four seasons with minimal playing time. Financial details were not yet available. Trotter is, by any measure, the top defensive player remaining in the unrestricted talent pool.

Since the Redskins face the Eagles twice annually in divisional play, Washington clearly is an intriguing landing spot for Trotter, and offer a built-in opportunity for revenge. Trotter dined with owner Dan Snyder Sunday night and liked him immensely. He also struck a quick relationship with defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis, who became very active in recruiting him.

The Eagles rescinded the franchise designation on Trotter, 25, on April 5, when they apparently became convinced he had no intention of signing a long-term deal with the team. That made him an unrestricted free agent and able to sign with other teams. Officials cited Trotter’s anger at having a franchise tag placed on him and referred to remarks he would not return to the Eagles.

Days earlier, Sexton apprised the Eagles that Trotter would sign the one-year tender of $5.515 million for a franchise linebacker, provided the team stipulated that it would not use the label on the four-year veteran again next spring. There have also been reports that the Eagles attempted to trade Trotter just hours before lifting the franchise designation.

Trotter has averaged 135 tackles per season and was selected by his teammates as the Eagles’ most valuable defensive player last year.