Ryan Kerrigan’s time in Washington appears to have come to an end. After a decade in the DMV, the once prodigal son looks to be moving on to greener pastures.
The 32-year old is still a free agent. But his post on Instagram last night seems to indicate that wherever he does end up in 2021, it won’t be in Washington.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CO9VXJVL30c/?igshid=bckuaz4x4v3t
Is this the ugly side of sports rearing its head? A ten year veteran reduced to a backup role and made expendable by younger cheaper backup options?
Or just a veteran that wants to play more than he’s going to have opportunity to in Washington in 2021?
Whatever the answer, it is never easy to say goodbye to a player that has meant so much to the franchise.
Always Dependable
This is an ironman. He started ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY NINE games in a row for the Washington Football Team from 2011-2019. This is a stud linebacker who broke the all-time franchise sack record last season with 95.5. He grew into a man in front of us, and went to four pro Bowls along the way.
Does he have anything left in the tank? He played well in 2020 appearing in all 16 games, but he only started one. He stated after the season that he thought he could still play well enough to start. But it isn’t going to be in Washington with Chase Young and Montez Sweat ahead of him on the depth chart. Truthfully the writing was on the wall, the moment Young was drafted second overall.
In typical fashion, there was no animosity toward Young. He welcomed him with open arms. Kerrigan has been a consummate professional from the moment he was drafted.
Coach Ron Rivera and GM Martin Mayhew said after the draft that there was still the potential for Kerrigan to return. That’s rarely a good omen for a player.
It doesn’t seem fitting for the once face of the franchise to have to say good-bye in a solitary Instagram post.
It doesn’t seem fitting to have to say good-bye at all.
Good luck Ryan.
Thank you for giving Washington everything you had for ten great years.
