Redskins Name Change Expected Soon
Washington is expected to have a new team name by the start of the season. After years of a hardline stance against moving on from the controversial “Redskins” moniker, Daniel Snyder is “committed” to changing the name by the start of the season, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports.
A new name could be coming within days, with Yahoo’s Charles Robinson indicating during an appearance on Saturday Sports Brunch with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Clarence Hill and ESPN 103.3’s D.J. Ringgenberg that a change is “imminent” (Twitter link). This was the expected course of action, but Washington will almost certainly not have a farewell season for this oft-scrutinized team identity.
This comes after FedEx and other sponsors applied pressure on the franchise to change the team name it has used for 87 years. The Redskins play at FedEx Field. The company sent a letter to the franchise July 2 threatening to remove its signage from the stadium after the 2020 season if the name wasn’t changed, Liz Clarke of the Washington Post reports. The parties agreed to a naming rights deal in 1999; that pact runs through 2027.
The Boston Braves became the Boston Redskins in 1933, the franchise’s second year. Should Washington unveil a new team name, it will mark the first NFL mascot change since the Tennessee Oilers became the Titans in 1999 in the franchise’s third season upon relocating from Houston.
Washington’s new team, as of now, is on track to keep the same color scheme, John Keim of ESPN.com notes. The new name will not feature Native American imagery, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. The latest Las Vegas odds favor “Redtails,” “Generals,” and “Presidents” to become the new name.
AFC Notes: Patriots, Waynes, Conner
Prior to signing a six-year, $54MM deal with the Redskins prior to the 2009 campaign, three-time Pro Bowl cornerback DeAngelo Hall had the opportunity to join the Patriots. The defensive back ultimately opted for the more lucrative deal, a decision he’s now regretting.
“When I signed to play half the season with Washington in 2008, there was a line in my contract that said the team could not franchise tag me that next season. I remember negotiations for a new deal with Washington weren’t going well, and there were other teams in the picture, including New England,” Hall said (via NFL.com). “At that time, players didn’t take short-term deals, but Randy Moss had just signed a three-year, $27 million deal with the Patriots. I couldn’t believe it.
“In my own contract discussions with the Pats, I recall Bill Belichick telling me they couldn’t give me the contract Moss signed. Being a young and greedy knucklehead, I chose to stay in Washington on a long-term deal, which ultimately had me making the same per-year salary as Moss. Over a few million, I could’ve changed my legacy by being part of that dynasty. That was on the table for me, and I wish I would’ve made the decision to take less money and play for Belichick.”
Hall ended up sticking with the Redskins through the 2017 season. The Redskins ultimately won 56 games between the 2009 and 2017 seasons, earning a pair of playoff appearances. The Patriots won 112 games and made four Super Bowls during that same span.
Let’s check out some more notes from around the AFC…
- Earlier this offseason, cornerback Trae Waynes signed a four-year, $42MM deal with the Bengals, including a $15MM signing bonus. However, as SI.com’s Albert Breer details, the former first-rounder still hasn’t received any of that money, and this is an ongoing theme throughout the NFL. One agent told Breer that executives are wary of finalizing any deals over fears of a cancelled season, and organizations are “within their rights to leave deals undone as a result of not wanting to do off-campus physicals.”
- Breer adds that Waynes is “pretty sensitive to how his concern over a $15 million payment might come off, understanding the job situation in our country right now.” Meanwhile, the Bengals have explained their side of the story. “The Bengals are very excited about adding Trae to the roster and are confident that he will be a good player here, but unfortunately issues relating to coronavirus have made contract execution matters harder than anyone wishes,” said Bengals vice president Troy Blackburn. “Hopefully agreements can be reached soon between the NFL and the NFLPA that allow the season to get underway, at which point these issues go away.”
- Ed Bouchette of The Athletic can’t envision running back James Conner inking an extension with the Steelers. The writer notes that the 25-year-old has only had one good season, and he’s battled injuries throughout his career. Following a breakout 2018 campaign, Conner finished the 2019 season with an underwhelming 715 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns.
Latest On Redskins OL Brandon Scherff
It doesn’t sound like Brandon Scherff will sign a long-term deal with the Redskins. ESPN’s John Keim reports “there isn’t much optimism” that the franchise-tagged offensive lineman will ink an extension prior to the July 15th deadline.
[RELATED: Status Of Tagged Players Prior To July 15 Extension Deadline]
Earlier this offseason, the 28-year-old became the first guard to receive the franchise tag since 2011. He quickly signed that deal, and there was optimism from both sides that they’d agree to an extension. Keim notes that the organization has “expressed a desire to keep [Scherff] long term,” while the previous lineman indicated that he wants to stick around.
“It’s gone well,” Scherff said back in April. “Just pretty much sat down and talked to my agent — that’s what he’s there for — and I want to sign a long-term deal with them, too. I love it there, and I’ve always said I wanted to be a Redskin for the rest of my career. So, hopefully we can work towards that.”
If Scherff doesn’t sign an extension prior to the July 15th deadline, he’ll lock himself into a one-year, $15.03MM deal.
Washington drafted Scherff fifth overall back in 2015, and the Iowa product has since started all 65 of his NFL games. While he only missed two games from 2015-17, he’s been sidelined for 13 games over the past two seasons. When he’s been on the field, Scherff has been one of the NFL’s best offensive linemen, and he earned his third career Pro Bowl nod in 2019.
Status Of All 15 Tagged Players Prior to July 15 Extension Deadline
The clock is ticking for tagged players to sign extensions with their teams, per the league calendar.
July 15: At 4:00 p.m., New York time, deadline for any club that designated a Franchise Player to sign such player to a multiyear contract or extension. After this date, the player may sign only a one-year contract with his prior club for the 2020 season, and such contract cannot be extended until after the club’s last regular season game.
With less than nine days remaining until the deadline, let’s take a look at where each of the 15 tagged players stand.
Already Signed Tag
- RB Kenyan Drake*, Cardinals: Engaged in talks with organization (4/15)
- LB Bud Dupree, Steelers: May not receive long-term deal (6/17)
- S Anthony Harris, Vikings: No reports, will let agent and Vikings do the work (5/17)
- RB Derrick Henry, Titans: Engaged in talks with organization (6/11)
- TE Hunter Henry, Chargers: Sides “were close” to an extension (4/29)
- LB Matt Judon, Ravens: Content playing on franchise tag (6/16)
- QB Dak Prescott, Cowboys: Wants four years, Cowboys want five years (6/22)
- OG Brandon Scherff, Redskins: Confident he’ll receive extension (4/11)
- OG Joe Thuney, Patriots: Engaged in talks with organization (3/17)
- DT Leonard Williams, Giants: To file grievance over position, hoping for extension (4/23)
*Received transition tag (vs. franchise tag)
Haven’t Signed Tag, Won’t Hold Out
- LB Shaquil Barrett, Buccaneers: Will sign tag if extension isn’t signed (6/29)
- WR A.J. Green, Bengals: Will sign tag if extension isn’t signed (6/21)
- S Justin Simmons, Broncos: Engaged in talks with organization (4/20)
Haven’t Signed Tag, Threatening Hold Out
- DT Chris Jones, Chiefs: Threatening holdout (7/1)
- DE Yannick Ngakoue, Jaguars: Wants trade, prepared to sit out 2020 season (7/2)
Redskins Expected To Change Name
The Redskins’ team name has been heavily criticized for some time for its racial overtones, though owner Dan Snyder previously avowed that he would never change the name. But as someone once said, “never say never.”
Facing renewed pressure to make a change, including a request from stadium sponsor FedEx, the club is undertaking a thorough review of the team name. The team issued the following statement (h/t Adam Schefter of ESPN.com via Twitter):
” In light of recent events around our country and feedback from our community, the Washington Redskins are announcing the team will undergo a thorough review of the team’s name. This review formalizes the initial discussions the team has been having with the league in recent weeks.
Dan Snyder, owner of the Washington Redskins, stated, ‘This process allows the team to take into account not only the proud tradition and history of the franchise but also input from our alumni, the organization, sponsors, the National Football League and the local community it is proud to represent on and off the field.’
Ron Rivera, Head Coach of the Washington Redskins, remarked, ‘This issue is of personal importance to me and I look forward to working closely with Dan Snyder to make sure we continue the mission of honoring and supporting Native Americans and our military.’
We believe this review can and will be conducted with the best interest of all in mind.”
Schefter believes the mere fact that the review is taking place is a clear indication that the name will indeed be changed. And sources tell Rick Maese, Mark Maske, and Liz Clarke of the Washington Post that the process will end in a new name and mascot, which could happen by the start of the 2020 season. After all, it would be a bad look, even by Snyder’s standards, to undergo a review and not make a change. While there’s not yet any clarity as to what the new name will be, Rivera’s comments suggest that it will somehow pay homage to the nation’s military.
Investment firms worth about $620B recently asked Nike, FedEx, and PepsiCo to end their relationships with the Redskins, and it could be that was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Nike removed the Redskins name and their merchandise from its website Thursday night. The Tennessee Titans — the last team to change their name, after a two-year Tennessee Oilers phase — now reside at the bottom of the shoe giant’s list of teams.
Meanwhile, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell issued a brief statement indicating that he has been discussing the matter with Snyder in recent weeks and is supportive of what appears to be an impending change.
FedEx Requests Redskins Change Name
FedEx has requested the Redskins change their team name. The franchise plays its home games at FedEx Field, and FedEx CEO Fred Smith is part of the team’s ownership group.
“We have communicated to the team in Washington our request that they change the team name,” the company said in a statement.
This has long been an issue the Redskins have encountered, and owner Daniel Snyder has continued to come out against changing the team’s name — despite frequent calls to do so. Snyder said in 2013 the team will “never” change its name. The franchise has been in existence since 1932, when it entered the NFL as the Boston Braves. They became known as the Boston Redskins a year later, moving to Washington in 1937.
FedEx, Nike and PepsiCo have received dozens of letters from investment firms and shareholders — worth a combined $620 billion — with the purpose of the Redskins changing their controversial name, according to AdWeek.
While the Redskins play home games in Landover, Md., the Washington Post recently reported that Eleanor Holmes Norton — Washington D.C.’s nonvoting delegate in the House of Representatives — said the name needed to be changed if the franchise wanted to build a stadium in the district. The Redskins played in the district (at RFK Stadium) until 1996. The Redskins’ lease with FedEx Field expires in 2027, ESPN.com notes.
Ron Rivera: Different Circumstances Would Have Led To Cam Newton Pursuit
- Despite the Patriots waiting until late June to add their likely starting quarterback, their QB situation now looks better than the Redskins‘. Ron Rivera discussed a Newton deal earlier this offseason but said this week the fit was not right in Washington. “If the circumstances had allowed us, I would not have had an issue with that,” Rivera said during an interview with 670 The Score (via NBC Sports Washington). “I would’ve been very confident and comfortable going after him and bringing him to be part of what we’re doing here.” The Redskins are set to enter training camp with Dwayne Haskins and Kyle Allen as their top healthy QBs, though Alex Smith remains on the roster.
Peterson Still Not Planning Retirement
- Stop us if you’ve heard this before, but Adrian Peterson has no near-future retirement plans. The new play-until number is age 39, the running back told TMZ. Peterson’s Redskins contract expires at season’s end. Peterson (14,216 career rushing yards) is within striking distance of Barry Sanders (15,269) for fourth on the all-time rushing list this season, and if he is granted a 15th season in 2021, he would likely be a good bet to pass the Hall of Famer like Frank Gore did last season. Though, Sanders amassed that total in 10 seasons.
Redskins’ Emanuel Hall Tears Achilles
Emanuel Hall‘s season is likely over. The Redskins wide receiver announced via Instagram that he has torn his Achilles. 
[RELATED: Redskins Had Chance At Peyton Manning]
Hall, 23, joined the Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2019. After the Missouri product missed the final cut, he went on to spend time with the practice squads of the Bucs and the Redskins. This year, the Redskins re-signed him on a futures deal, giving him a place on the 90-man offseason roster and a chance to make the team. Now, he’ll likely have to wait until 2021 before retaking the field.
Before the injury, Hall was pushing for one of the final spots on the WR depth chart, though he was facing some long odds. Terry McLaurin, Kelvin Harmon, and Trey Quinn headline the group, while Cam Sims, Steven Sims Jr., and fourth-round pick Antonio Gandy-Golden are among those fighting for supporting roles.
In other Redskins news, Ryan Kerrigan says he wants to finish out his career with the Redskins. It’s not clear if the Redskins are willing to discuss an extension, but a longer deal could make sense for both sides. The veteran edge rusher’s $11.5MM salary for this year is totally non-guaranteed; an extension could smooth out that hit and give the Redskins some extra space.
Redskins Had Chance At Peyton Manning
Peyton Manning‘s decision to sign with the Broncos eight years ago changed the franchise’s trajectory, but the future Hall of Famer did not get the chance to strongly consider a team that would likely have been on his list. While it is not certain the Redskins would have beaten out the Broncos, the presence of Mike and Kyle Shanahan would have given Washington a key selling point. The then-free agent passer met with the Shanahans while in Denver to watch film, and Manning indicated he was “very impressed” with Kyle — then Washington’s OC. Mike Shanahan, then in his third year as Washington’s HC, confirmed the franchise was interested in Manning when the Colts released him on March 7, 2012. But in between Manning’s Colts exit and his Broncos commitment, the Redskins sent the Rams a monster haul for the No. 2 overall pick.
The Redskins-Rams trade became official March 13 — three days after the Manning-Shanahans film session took place, per The Athletic — but the teams agreed to the deal March 9. Years later, John Elway informed his former head coach he believed the Redskins may have held more appeal than the Broncos ultimately presented in the Manning sweepstakes.