Linebacker Ryan Kerrigan will remain with the Washington Redskins after signing last Wednesday a huge five-year, $57.5 million deal which has $24.28 million guaranteed and a $16 million signing bonus.
Kerrigan is entering the final year of his previous pact with the Redskins before signing the deal that makes him the third-highest paid linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) today, just behind Justin Houston of the Kansas City Chiefs and Clay Matthews from the Green Bay Packers.
"To get to a moment like this where you get a chance to play out the rest of your NFL career with the team that drafted you, the team that you love, the city that you love, it hasn't really hit me yet, but it's an awesome feeling," Kerrigan said in a statement on the Redskins website.
He added that he will reward the team by playing well next season and for the rest of his career because of the faith they gave to him.
The 26-year-old linebacker is coming off a breakout 2014 season and is one of the few bright spots for the struggling Redskins franchise that managed to win only seven games in the past two seasons.
In 16 games played last season, Kerrigan had 13.5 sacks, which was a career-best, scoring him a total of 38 sacks in his entire four-season career in the NFL.
Kerrigan also tallied five forced fumbles during the 2014 season, giving him a total of 15 in his career.
Washington head coach Jay Gruden believes Kerrigan can continue improving. He commends the work he is doing on and off the field that shows the young guys who the Redskins are.
"He can do it all. He's an accountable guy; he's never been late to a meeting. His work ethic is outstanding. He's a great example for younger players, and he's going to get better as years go on," Gruden said according to ESPN.
The Redskins opened training camp last Thursday at the Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center in Richmond, Virginia.
