Former Redskins DE Stephen Bowen Signs With the New York Jets

Stephen Bowen was released by the Washington Redskins last month and saved the team $5.5 million towards the 2015 salary cap.  Bowen spent 4 years with the Redskins after signing a 5 year, $27.5 million contract in 2011.  The former Dallas Cowboy started every game during his first two seasons in Washington.  A knee injury in 2013 ended his season early and required microfracture surgery to repair.  The injury kept Bowen on the Physically Unable to Perform(PUP) list until Week 7 last season.  The team had renegotiated his contract before the 2014 season began in order to save $2 million, converting it to bonuses that could be earned back.  Bowen started 3 games last season on a defensive line that dealt with injuries to several starters.

Bowen, who turns 31 this week, will be the 5th Redskins free agent to find a new team this offseason.  Since he was cut by the Redskins, he will not count towards next year's compensatory draft pick formula.  Currently the Redskins have signed 4 qualifying FAs and lost 4 qualifying FAs.  The Redskins, under new GM Scot McCloughan, have put a heavy focus on revamping the team's defensive line.  The team released Barry Cofield and Bowen before free agency started, and didn't seem interested in re-signing former 2nd round draft pick Jarvis Jenkins(who reportedly will sign with the Bears today).  The team signed Ricky Jean-Francois shortly after the Indianapolis Colts released him, and then signed former Chicago Bears DT Stephen Paea and former Denver Bronco's DT Terrance Knighton.

[UPDATE: 4:09 pm 3/26/15] Bowen's deal qualifies for minimum salary benefit.

Stephen Bowen one-yr Jets deal $960,000, $870K salary, $60K bonus, $20K roster bonus first-game 53-man, cap $665K min salary benefit

— Aaron Wilson (@RavensInsider) March 26, 2015