The Redskins Finally Released Jordan Reed and Somehow Nearly Owed Him Over $10 Million

Washington Redskins fans haven't had much to root for since Robert Griffin III's magical rookie season in 2012. The only season in which they've finished better than third in the NFC East since then came in 2015, the Jordan Reed year.

Reed broke out as one the league's most productive tight ends in 2015, his third season in the NFL. The tight end's dominant campaign included 87 receptions, 952 yards and 11 touchdowns over 14 games played, all of which remain career highs for the former Florida Gator. After struggling to replicate those same numbers and dealing with a long list of injuries, Reed was finally releasd by the Redskins Thursday in a move that freed up a notable chunk of cap space.

Following his surprise 2015 season, Reed agreed to a five-year extension with Washington worth up to $50 million. He was limited to a combined 31 games between 2016 and 2018 due to a concussion and toe, hamstring and shoulder injuries. He was due to make $10.3 million in 2020.

The 29-year-old hauled in six touchdowns in 2016 before catching just two in each of the next two seasons. Reed sat out the entirety of the 2019 season with a concussion from a helmet-to-helmet hit in the preseason, and is yet to clear the league's concussion protocol all these months later.

As much as the Redskins would have liked to see Reed recover and get back to playing like his normal self again, getting $8.5 million in salary cap room back makes his release worthwhile. With a deep free agent class set to hit the market next month, the Redskins now have the funds to make some smart decisions.