In a shocking move on Monday, the Washington Redskins released starting safety DJ Swearinger. The safety had been highly critical of defensive coordinator Grey Manusky after some losses this season, including after the Redskins defeat to the Tennessee Titans. Swearinger met with head coach Jay Gruden this morning where he was notified that he was being released. Swearinger was recently named a Pro Bowl alternate and was having the best season of his career. In 15 games this season Swearinger has played on every defensive snap except one totaling 51 tackles, 4 interceptions and a sack.
The Redskins have lost four of five games since quarterback Alex Smith was lost for the season. Smith’s loss to this team cannot be understated as since that injury the Redskins have been in a constant state of turmoil. Swearinger was critical of the defensive play calling after a the Thanksgiving defeat to the Dallas Cowboys. His routine was definitely irritating to the coaching staff who needed to find a way to discipline Swearinger. The more rationale move would have been to to bench Swearinger for the season finale and work things out in the offseason. Now the Redskins have lost their steadiest and best safety since Sean Taylor, and now have to most likely replace both safeties in 2019.
