Santana Moss's contract voided on Friday, making the Redskins' top wide receiver an unrestricted free agent March 4.
In December, the 10-year veteran said he hoped to return to the team he has led in receiving six consecutive seasons. But do the Redskins still want Moss? And if Washington is interested in re-signing him, what will it take to get a deal done?
It's believed Moss is seeking a two- or three-year deal that averages about $5 million a season. The Redskins renegotiated Moss's contract in May 2009.
He received a signing bonus of more than $6.2 million and had a base salary of $968,500 last season. Under the terms of the renegotiation, the remainder of Moss's deal voided after the 2010 season.
Although Moss turns 32 in June, he could remain productive for a few more seasons. Last season, he proved to be a good fit in offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan's system. Playing multiple receiver positions, Moss had a career-high 93 receptions for 1,115 yards (topping the 1,000-yard mark for fourth time in his career) and six touchdowns.
It would seem to make sense for the Redskins to re-sign him. The problem with their passing attack last season wasn't Moss -- it was the lack of consistent options in addition to Moss and Anthony Armstrong.
It would appear the Redskins could have some intriguing options, whether they decide to replace Moss or re-sign him and bolster their receiving corps with other potential free agents.
Of course, even when it comes to free agency, we don't know for sure how everything will play out until a new CBA is agreed upon. But once the CBA is settled, it's believed that the top free agent receivers will be Vincent Jackson, Sidney Rice, Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards, Steve Smith, Terrell Owens and Randy Moss. But they all may not be available or want to sign with the Redskins.
Leading up to last season's trade deadline, the Redskins and San Diego were reportedly discussing a deal that would have sent Jackson to Washington. The Chargers are reportedly considering using their franchise tag on Jackson, meaning they either plan on working out a deal to re-sign him or hope to receive two first-round draft picks from another team if Jackson signs elsewhere.
The 6-foot-4 Rice would meet the Redskins' longtime need for a big, dependable target. There's talk, however, Minnesota could use its franchise tag on him, and the New York Jets may do the same with Holmes.
The Redskins passed on both Owens and Moss when they could have pursued them last season (Owens as a free agent and Moss through waivers). It would seem unlikely that either would receive interest from Mike Shanahan & co.
That leaves Edwards (53 catches, 904 yards and seven TDs) and Smith (49 catches, 529 yards, three touchdowns) for consideration. Or there could be other lower-profile receivers the Redskins may believe could help them.
Another receiver expected to become a free agent is San Diego's Malcom Floyd, who at 6-5, 225 pounds has size. Floyd had 37 catches for 717 yards and six touchdowns in 11 games last season. And then there is Plaxico Burress, who will be an unrestricted free agent as he attempts to make a comeback after two years in prison.
As for the draft, Alabama's Julio Jones is expected to be available in the 10th to 15th-pick range. But a pass-rusher to complement Brian Orakpo or a quarterback likely are higher priorities for the Redskins, who have the No. 10 pick.
Click here to order Santana Moss’s proCane Rookie Card.
(washingtonpost.com)