With Multiple Teams Asking, the Redskins Seriously Need to Consider Trading Ryan Kerrigan

Ryan Kerrigan has gone through a lot with this organization. After being drafted with the 16th overall pick of the 2011 NFL Draft, the four time Pro Bowler has experienced just three winning seasons, two playoff berths and zero playoff wins to date in this, his 9th season in the league.

The 31 year old DE/OLB has a total of 86.5 career sacks - which is just four and a half off the Redskins all-time sack leader Dexter Manley. Many Redskins fans want to see Kerrigan retire a Skin, but is that in the player’s and team’s best interest?

There are reports that a few teams, the Colts and Ravens being named specifically, are interested in trading for Kerrigan. Both are still contending teams who are in desperate need of pass rushers, and in the NFL today, guys who consistently produce double digit sacks each season don’t exactly grow on trees. Despite his age, Kerrigan has shown he can still play at a high level in this league, producing at least 9.5 sacks each of the last five seasons with a career high of 13.5 in 2014. The last two years, his age 29 and 30 seasons, he recorded 13 sacks each year and has averaged 18 quarterback hits per season to go along with those.

Kerrigan is under contract through the 2020 season, and his cap hit is $11.75 million - essentially a bargain in today’s edge rusher market. Although he probably wouldn’t return anything higher than a second round pick, the Redskins could use that draft capital as they continue their re-build.

The Redskins moved back into the first round of the 2019 NFL draft to select Montez Sweat. They gave the Colts their second round picks in both 2019 and 2020 to do so. If the Colts traded back that 2020 second round pick for Kerrigan, that could solve an issue for both parties.

Ryan grew up in Muncy, Indiana, and a return to his home state may be just what the doctor ordered for the nine year veteran.

The other team in need of pass rush help is the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens run a hybrid defense, so Kerrigan could be used as a 7-technique defensive end or 3-4 outside linebacker. The move is right down the beltway, so it may not have to displace him and his family from their home, and the great charity work they have done in the area.

There would be very few concerns for a team trading for Kerrigan. They’d have another full year of control on his current deal, and his production and availability have been great (Kerrigan is the NFL’s all-time leader in consecutive starts at left OLB). He’s a team leader and consummate professional both on and off the field. His offseason training and nutrition should provide him another 3-4 years in the NFL.

A trade of Ryan Kerrigan would be a hard pill for fans to swallow, but desperate times call for desperate measures. The Redskins need to get younger, and Kerrigan deserves a chance to play for something meaningful before his career in the NFL is over.