Redskins Sign OLB Pernell McPhee
The Washington Redskins have signed former Chicago Bears linebacker Pernell McPhee. The team announced the signing Monday afternoon. Details on the contract have not been disclosed.
It's official: #Redskins sign LB Pernell McPhee: https://t.co/d1tVVi3cPa
Welcome to D.C.! #HTTR pic.twitter.com/LtlPw07hOk
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) March 26, 2018
McPhee has been on the Redskins rader for quite some time. The Redskins met with the former Chicago Bear last week and made an offer, but he did not sign. McPhee was a top target for the Redskins after parting with LB Junior Galette and LB Trent Murphy.
This will be McPhee’s seventh season in the league. McPhee spent his last three seasons in Chicago, where he recorded 14 sacks (six in 2015 and four the past two years). McPhee was the Baltimore Ravens fifth round pick back in 2011, there he recorded his highest single-season sack total (7.5) in 2014.
Injuries have always been an issue for McPhee and was probably the reason Chicago parted ways with him. McPhee had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee before the 2017 season and was placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury for the final two games of the year. McPhee also had microfracture surgery on his left knee after the 2015 season that placed him on the physically unable to perform list to start 2016.
McPhee will add depth to the OLB position playing behind three time Pro Bowler Ryan Kerrigan and up-and-coming star Preston Smith. The 6-foot-2, 274-pounder will help the Redskins pass rush along with stopping the run, which has been a problem for Washington in past seasons.
