Washington Redskins outside linebacker Brian Orakpo signed a one-year, $11.455 million franchise tender for the 2014 season.
“He’s a talented player. I think he can do a little bit better,” first-year coach Jay Gruden said Tuesday in Orlando. “(We) can ask more of him where he could be more productive as far as getting his hand down and rushing more instead of dropping (into pass coverage) quite so much. We have high hopes for Brian and whether the deal gets done or not, we know he’ll be a big part of our success (in 2014).”
Gruden said the Redskins would like to keep Orakpo for “as many years as we can.” Orakpo has 39.5 sacks in 64 career games.
Unable to reach a long-term contract agreement in February, Orakpo was designated a franchise player, one of six potential free agents who were tagged before the deadline. The two sides can continue negotiations toward a long-term deal until July.
The two-time (2009, 2010) Pro Bowl outside linebacker needs just 4.5 more sacks to move into third place in Washington Redskins history behind Dexter Manley (91) and Charles Mann (82).
Orakpo, the 13th overall selection in the 2009 draft, approached the offseason with an eye toward free agency.
“I had a great time being a part of the Redskins and I want to continue it but who knows, man,” said the 27-year-old Orakpo, who bounced back from a torn pec that ended his 2012 season in Week 2 to lead Washington with 10 sacks in 2013. “It’s not too many times you can be an unrestricted free agent. You’ve got to sometimes take advantage of that.”
The Redskins signed defensive tackle Jason Hatcher away from the Dallas Cowboys and Gruden said the 2014 scheme will stress getting pressure on the quarterback. That was at the root of the decision to use the franchise marker to keep Orakpo from finding greener pastures.
“Pass-rushers don’t grow on trees, and at the time we weren’t sure what pass-rushers would be available,” Gruden said. “There was still a chance for Seattle to franchise (Michael) Bennett. So we thought it was very important to take care of one of our own who we groomed and coached up, and we’re happy with Brian.”