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Chris Baker Signs 3 Year Deal

Defensive Tackle Chris "Swaggy" Baker has reportedly re-signed with the Redskins.

By Scott Jennings

The Redskins have announced that DT/DE Chris Baker has been re-signed, and initial reports suggest it was a 3 year deal, worth $12 million.  Defensive Coordinator Jim Haslett named four Redskins free agents who he considered to be priority re-signings this offseason.  DeAngelo Hall signed his new deal last week, and now Chris Baker has received his new contract.  That leaves OLB Brian Orakpo, and ILB Perry Riley on the list to re-sign.

Chris Baker is a rotational member of the defensive line who became very effective down the stretch last season.  His stat line for 2013: 15 games, 3 starts, 1 sack, 27 combined tackles, and 1 pass defended.  He also showed an ability to get to the QB, and was in on hits that injured Jay Cutler and Eli Manning last season.

Baker was undrafted and originally signed with the Denver Broncos in 2009.  He was signed to the Redskins practice squad in 2011, but was placed on IR for a quad injury after being signed to the active roster.  Baker made the roster again in 2012 after Chris Neild was lost for the season to injury.  He was tendered as a restricted free agent last season, and now has earned a 3 year deal to compete to earn even more playing time.

"I’m pleased to get everything done," Baker said by telephone Thursday afternoon. "I always wanted to stay in Washington. You know, it just feels good to see where I’ve come from, as an undrafted free agent, to get to this point. It’s a blessing and it’s a dream come true."

"This is a defense I’ve been in for the last three years, so the fact that I don’t have to learn a new defense is really good," Baker said. "I’m comfortable within the defense the way it is now, so hopefully, I can keep excelling and getting better."

[UPDATE: 2/28 9:20AM]: Chris Baker's contract numbers explained

Signed a three-year, $12-million deal with $4 million guaranteed. That sounds like starter-type money (albeit not a high level one), but it’s certainly not guaranteed starter money. He has $1 million in incentives that are not likely to be earned -- based on play time, sack totals and Pro Bowl appearances -- each of the three years and his cap number is only $2 million this year and tops out at $4 million in the final year of the contract. The deal averages $3 million per season. It allows the Redskins to keep a young, improving lineman who can help them at multiple spots: end, nose tackle and nickel rusher. Even if he doesn’t start he will play a lot.

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