Orakpo ‘very likely’ won’t sign long term with Washington Redskins
By Cory Buck
Brian Orakpo and the Washington Redskins will almost certainly see the July 15th deadline pass for long term deals to be signed in the NFL without a deal in hand. Orakpo has already signed his tender so he would play out the 2014 season under the franchise tag.
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CSN Washington’s Rich Tandler writes that it’s all but in stone that there will be no long term deal signed this summer for Orakpo.
"The team tagged the Pro Bowl outside linebacker just before the deadline last March. According to reports the Redskins and Orakpo were not close in their negotiations on a long-term contract at the time and there have been no indications that the gap has been closed significantly since then."
If that’s the case, it’s hard to believe the two will suddenly agree on something before the 4PM deadline for deals. Orakpo would be set to play under a one year $11 million deal, per the franchise tag parameters. Orakpo bristled when asked why he was bothered by another short-term contract after an 11 sack season in 2014, insisting that he deserves a long term deal this summer.
"“I have to prove myself again, huh?” Orakpo said in April. “I don’t have to prove myself to anybody. I’m already proven in this league. I don’t have to prove anything to anybody. That goes for fans, that goes for media. Anybody. I’m well-proven in this league. If it doesn’t work out, then it doesn’t work out, but I don’t have to prove anything to anybody.”"
He may not have to prove himself to us, but he clearly still has some explaining to do to Washington’s management. Now it appears he’ll have another one-year deal on which he can plant his stance in another round of negotiations in the 2015 offseason.