The Redskins just made it easier for restricted free agent Jason Campbell to be traded, but that should not come as any surprise. They tendered him a first-round contract Wednesday afternoon, but declined to increase the offer by approximately $125,000.
Had they done so, any team that would have signed Campbell would have forfeited two draft picks. Now? They only need to give up one. Though he was tendered as a first-rounder, that can be negotiated if another team signs him to an offer sheet and the Redskins decline to match.
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When Campbell was offered around the league last season nobody bit, not even for a mid-round draft choice. So it’s unlikley anyone would surrender a high pick for him now. There’s little chance anyone would have given up two. But if they only have to give up one — and they can knock it down to, say, a third-rounder — then that might be doable. This is a down year for quarterbacks in free agency and the draft offers little hope for immediate help.
Regardless, the offer seems to confirm what many thought: Campbell is a short-term answer in Washington. Fair or not, that’s how it appears. But that should be no surprise given how much attention is focused on the Redskins drafting a quarterback. Seems to me that would suggest a thing or two about Campbell as well; didn’t need to see a somewhat lower tender offer to steer my thoughts that way.
Oh, and for what it’s worth we’re hearing that the Redskins do indeed like Sam Bradford but are not as high on Jimmy Clausen. Wouldn’t be surprised if that seems to change by the week as teams play their draft mind games with one another.
Meanwhile, the Redskins tendered corner Carlos Rogers as a first-rounder and defensive tackle Kedric Golston, safety Reed Doughty and linebacker Rocky McIntosh as second-rounders (meaning they would receive a second-round pick back as compensation). This is fairly standard. And it’s safe to say that some of these coaches would like to see certain players perform in person before signing them to a long-term contract. Not to mention that two of them will be playing new spots in a 3-4 front.
Finally, I talked to one veteran offensive player who expects the Redskins to sign running back Darren Sproles. But that’s just based on what he knows of what the Redskins want and what Sproles offers.
