The Redskins are going to release linebacker Zach Brown, a source tells Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter). The Redskins unsuccessfully tried to move Brown in a trade, but he should find plenty of suitors now that he is an unrestricted free agent. 
[RELATED: Redskins To Release DL Stacy McGee]
Brown, 30 in October, 96 tackles and one sack as the Redskins’ inside linebacker last season. The advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus were extremely high on him, grading him as the third-best LB in the NFL behind only Bobby Wagner and Luke Kuechly. Brown’s old contract ran through 2020, but it’s now a clean slate for the veteran and any interested clubs.
Brown, ultimately, saw this day coming. Back in December, after clashing with coaches, he said that he expected to be released in the offseason.
“I think they’re just going in a different direction towards everything,” Brown said. “I’m going this direction, they’re going that direction.”
Brown would’ve counted for $8.75M against the Redskins’ cap. Instead, they’ll save $5.75MM while absorbing a dead cap hit of $3MM.
In an offseason that has been extremely lucrative for off-ball linebackers, Brown could be in line for a strong payday.
Would anyone care if I dropped a bunch of Zac Brown Band related puns based off of this?
I’d be disappointed if you didn’t
A letter to Redskins Nation from Zach Brown:
Redskins Family,
I’m sad to say it but I will be taking the “highway 20 ride” out of Washington. “Keep me in mind” as I terrorize you next year with my new team, and your QB is “knee deep” in trouble against me. I’m not happy with this decision, but I am a “different kind of fine.”
Thank you
PFF metrics might have been high on him, but he missed a lot of tackles and was a liability in pass coverage.
The PFF metrics should really be in question if Zach Brown graded out as the third best linebacker in the NFL. Do they not grade pass coverage? As the photo shows, Brown is not physically capable of keeping up with NFL tight ends, let alone wide receivers. He’s a decent enough run LB in a pass-happy league.
Since the Redskins shopped Brown to the whole league and would have taken food stamps in trade for him rather than eat the dead cap on him, it looks like NFL GM’s didn’t agree with PFF either.
I bet he has his toes in the water
And his ass in the sand on the Maryland coast.
He will probably “Jump right in” wherever he signs.
But he’ll be in “no hurry” to do so
Chargers. Brown and davis would help a lot at the lb position. Then draft a DT or 2. A tackle to protect rivers. And a prospect an like Findlay.
1st round DT- christian Wilkins if he’s there. Or trade back into the 2nd round with the browns if they wanna trade up.
2nd.- qb Findlay.
3rd- LB.
4th 5th 6th 7th- depth safety, cb, oline dline.
Steelers?
I have always been a fan of his and would like to see him in Green Bay if the price is right ($2-3MM per).
I could get down with pairing him with Martinez at that price and higher. He will get paid more elsewhere I am sure.
I like him in a Bears uniform as a replacement for Sam Acho.