Free agent defensive lineman Ricky Jean Francois has signed a three-year deal with Washington, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. The deal is worth $9 million over the three years and includes $4 million guaranteed, though the total value goes up to $11.25 million if Jean Francois meets all of the contract incentives.
Ricky Jean Francois signs with Washington, per report
The defensive lineman will join Washington on a three-year contract worth $9 million.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jean Francois signed with the Indianapolis Colts in 2013 after he earned recognition playing relief along the defensive line of the San Francisco 49ers. At the time, multiple teams were interested in him and he was considered an up-and-comer. But on Monday, the Colts released him from the four-year, $22 million deal he signed with the team.
That saved $4.875 million in cap space in 2015. He didn’t necessarily fail to live up to the contract, but the Colts wanted to clear up cap space after spending big the past two offseasons, and felt good about Art Jones to fulfill the spot left on the defensive line.
Jean Francois also reported interest from both the Seattle Seahawks and his former team, the 49ers. In fact, Jean Francois was in Seattle for a visit on Thursday, according to another tweet from Rapoport. Seattle has one of the best defenses in the league and is preparing for the departure of its own free agents. Washington has struggled big time in recent seasons, though, and Jean Francois will get every opportunity to start and make a difference.
Jean Francois played in all 16 games this past season, putting up 28 tackles, three sacks and a fumble recovery to go along with six passes defensed. The defensive line is one of Washington's biggest needs this offseason, with Jason Hatcher struggling (after being a marquee free agent signing in 2014) and multiple injuries along the line, namely to Stephen Bowen and Barry Cofield.
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