Former Bills linebacker Zach Brown, like many others in this year’s free agent class, bet on himself last year and, as a result, will reap the dividends of his decision for years to come.
Zach Brown cashes in with Washington after career year
A big-name free agent finally finds a new home.
Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
After a breakout season in 2016 in which he earned Pro Bowl honors, Brown has signed with Washington, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
His agent made it official on Twitter as well:
Totaling 149 tackles, four sacks, four pass defenses, two forced fumbles, and an interception in 2016, Brown was a superstar at middle linebacker in Buffalo. The 27-year-old played like one of the NFL’s best interior linebackers while making less than $2 million last season. Taking that chance on himself, however, will now make Brown a rich man.
Brown excels in several areas on defense. He’s a capable tackler, a willing blitzer (he has 14 career sacks), and a playmaker with the ball in his hands (he’s forced 11 turnovers in five seasons, returning two of those for scores).
What might be most impressive about Brown’s 2016 season is that he wasn’t even supposed to start for the Bills. It took an injury to rookie linebacker Reggie Ragland for Brown to get his shot — but once the veteran saw his opportunity, he pounced on it.
Washington gave quarterback Kirk Cousins the franchise tag earlier this offseason, solidifying the quarterback position for at least one more year. Today, they improved at linebacker by signing Brown.
They haven’t made some of the bigger moves this offseason, but there’s clearly an effort by Washington to try to keep up in the NFC East.
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