Washington Commanders

Kory Lichtensteiger Takes Pay Cut To Stay With Washington Redskins

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Kory Lichtensteiger was on the Washington Redskins roster bubble heading into today. He took a pay cut to change that.

The Washington Redskins have made an important move on the offensive line that will keep one of their veteran players around for another season. The team’s starting center Kory Lichtensteiger agreed to take a pay cut to help the team out in 2016, according to ESPN’s Field Yates.

It is likely that Lichtensteiger was given an ultimatum. The Redskins likely told the center that he would need to take a pay cut or be released after a poor preseason. The veteran happily complied and it looks like he will now be a lock to make the Redskins roster.

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Lichtensteiger has been the starter for the past two season at center for the Redskins, and over his career in Washington, he has made 72 starts at the interior offensive line positions. However, last season Lichtensteiger only played in five games due to injury. Since then, he has struggled in preseason play. He fared very poorly in pass protection and was called for three holding penalties in a single game against the Buffalo Bills. It was looking like he would lose his job at the center position after the Redskins traded for Bryan Stork.

However, the trade for Stork fell through and Lichtensteiger was once again favored to be the starter. Still, he was outplayed by Spencer Long at the position so it was safe to wonder whether or not the Redskins were even planning on starting him.

This move brings a bit more clarity to the Redskins plans. They will likely use Lichtensteiger as a backup who can play any interior position. If they need extra run blocking, he can also come into the game and help with that. As a result of the salary conversion, I would expect that he will be a backup, as that may make the incentives harder to achieve.

Overall, this is a win-win for both sides. Lichtensteiger gets to keep playing for Washington while the Redskins save some money and retain a player who should be a decent backup. It also ensures that the team will not have to unceremoniously release the long time Redskin.

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