Brian Orakpo is Going to the Pro Bowl

The Washington Redskins announced today that a 3rd member of the team has been selected to this year's Pro Bowl in Hawaii.  Brian Orakpo was originally selected as an alternate, but has been chosen to replace the San Francisco 49ers Ahmad Brooks, who opted out of the game.  LT Trent Williams and RB Alfred Morris will be joining Orakpo this weekend.  This year's Pro Bowl will be held January 26th, 2014 at the Aloha Stadium in Honolulu.

This is Orakpo's 3rd Pro Bowl selection.  He was voted in after his rookie year in 2009, and after the following season in 2010.  Orakpo's stats this season included 60 tackles, 10 sacks, and the first interception of his career which he returned for a touchdown against the Chicago Bears.

Brian Orakpo was one of four Redskins selected as alternates this year along with Pierre Garcon, DeAngelo Hall, and Alfred Morris.  Alfred Morris was chosen to replace Marshawn Lynch this week.  DeAngelo Hall was not picked to replace Richard Sherman, that honor went to Tim Jennings.  Demaryius Thomas' replacement was also announced, but Larry Fitzgerald was selected instead of the NFL's receptions leader, Pierre Garcon.

Brian Orakpo is set to become an unrestricted free agent in March, and has indicated he will be testing the free agency market.  The Redskins will attempt to resign their star OLB, but there are questions about how much Orakpo will be seeking, and how much interest he will receive from other teams in the league.  Another Pro Bowl selection and a double digit sack total this year will help his case for receiving a large contract from a team.  The Redskins have the option of using the franchise tag to retain him if a long term deal can not be worked out.

Suit up, @Rak98! #Redskins OLB Brian Orakpo will replace Ahmad Brooks at the Pro Bowl. Congrats, 'Rak! #HTTR

— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) January 21, 2014