The Washington Redskins have released G Chris Chester. The move saves the team $4M against the cap. Chester is still guaranteed $800K. The timing of this move is odd as Chester was just running with the first-team in yesterday's OTAs. Does this move indicate second-year G Spencer Long is ready to start? Could the team start two players with a combined zero starts in their NFL careers on the right side (Long and Scherff)?
Chester (6'3", 303 lbs.) recently turned 32 years old and came to the Redskins in FA during July of 2011 from the Ravens. He signed a lucrative five-year deal to be a starting G for the Shanahan-led team. Chester is thought of as a great fit for a ZBS due to his light stature and athletic ability at the G position. After playing TE during his first three years in college, he converted to G. The Redskins are moving to a larger, power blocking scheme this year that generally requires bigger, stronger OL. Due to Chester's age, salary, and size, the cut isn't all that surprising.
The team also cut CB Tracy Porter. Porter (5'11", 188 lbs.) missed the first day of OTAs and HC Jay Gruden stated that it was because Porter had missed his flight to DC. The move saves the team an additional $2.3M against the cap. Porter came to the team just last year, but has basically been hurt his entire time as a Redskin (and a vast majority of his career). He only played in three games as a Redskin and accumulated a whopping five tackles. He's best as a nickel-back in the slot and was thought to have a chance to start there this year. Apparently the team has other plans to fill their slot-CB position.
Per @caplannfl the Redskins are releasing OG Chris Chester.
— John Keim (@john_keim) May 27, 2015
Per @caplannfl - #Redskins release guard Chris Chester. That will save them $4 million against the salary cap. He has $800,000 guaranteed
— Brian McNally (@bmcnally14) May 27, 2015
Interesting - per @caplannfl, #Redskins are releasing Chris Chester.. Was running with starters yesterday.. #RedskinsTalk
— Rob Carlin (@RobCarlinCSN) May 27, 2015
This could mean #Redskins will have Spencer Long at RG with 0 NFL starts.. and rookie Brandon Scherff at RT.. #RedskinsTalk
— Rob Carlin (@RobCarlinCSN) May 27, 2015
Redskins also releasing Tracy Porter. Another non-surprising move.
— Mike Jones (@MikeJonesWaPo) May 27, 2015
Per @MikeJonesWaPo - #Redskins cut CB Tracy Porter, too. Had allegedly missed his flight to DC for OTAs. Saves $2.3 million more vs. the cap
— Brian McNally (@bmcnally14) May 27, 2015
Had written a couple times within past two weeks that I thought Spencer Long would be the starting RG this season. So..not surprised by move
— John Keim (@john_keim) May 27, 2015
I know chris Chester did not have a good year last year. OK with his release. But the guy was a total pro. classy, smart.
— John Keim (@john_keim) May 27, 2015
The Porter move is another non-surprise. Skins don't need him. corner depth huge. But he'd be a 5th corner at 2 mill plus. no thanks.
— John Keim (@john_keim) May 27, 2015