Galette was released after posting 22 sacks the past two seasons with the Saints. Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Outside linebacker Junior Galette has agreed to a one-year contract with the Washington Redskins after being released by the New Orleans Saints because of off-field problems.
Galette’s agent, lvin Keels, said via Twitter on Friday:
“Junior Galette will sign a 1 year deal with the Washington Redskins today. Junior is grateful for the second chance he is being afforded by the Redskins and is looking forward to not only producing on the field but also to display the veteran leadership in the locker room.
“The deal is for the league minimum. This deal isn’t about the money. Junior feels that he has a lot to prove both on and off of the field.”
Galette was cut Monday by the Saints following the release of a 2013 video that appears to show a physical altercation on a beach between Galette and a woman that involves a belt.
Galette was released after posting 22 sacks the past two seasons with the Saints. The parting led to a tirade from Galette that will prompt further character questions from the Redskins.
The NFL has talked to Galette about his arrest in January for domestic simple battery, and the league is now investigating the 2013 video of the scuffle in South Beach, Fla.
”Obviously, he’s had some issues in the past,” Redskins coach Jay Gruden said Thursday before the first practice of training camp. “But we like to draw our own conclusions about every individual that we bring into this building. And we’ll go from there. It’s very early right now. I haven’t had a chance to talk to him at all. So until I do, I won’t draw any conclusions on what’s happened to him in the past.”
The 27-year-old Galette, who had 10 sacks in 2013 and collected a career-high 12 last season, will cost the Saints $5.45 million in salary-cap space in 2015 and force the team to count $12 million in dead money next season after team officials grew tired of his off-field behavior and sent him packing.
The Redskins are trying to find an effective pass rusher opposite outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan.
