Re-signing Santana Moss wasn't the sexiest decision, but it was absolutely necessary and a much better way than any alternative to bridge the present and the future at the position.
Wide receiver Santana Moss, one of the top receivers on the 2011 NFL free agents list, has re-signed with the Washington Redskins, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The reported contract has the Redskins paying Moss $15 million for three years, with $6 million guaranteed. If that's the case, Moss' new deal lines up well to a couple productive receivers that played in the Super Bowl last season and signed their deals when they were older than Moss: Donald Driver and Hines Ward.
Ward received a four-year, $22 million contract extension in 2009, one year after, at age 33, he caught 95 passes for 1,167 yards and six touchdowns. His guaranteed money situation is a bit confusing, but comes out to around $11 million over the course of the contract, though his signing bonus was $4.35 million according to Rotoworld.
Driver signed a four-year, $17.2 million contract in 2009 that was subsequently extended in 2010 after he caught 51 balls for 565 yards and four touchdowns at age 35. That deal will pay him roster bonuses of $5 million and $1 million, so his guaranteed money figure is $6 million.
Moss, at age 31, caught 93 passes for 1,115 yards and six touchdowns. If Schefter's figures are correct, Moss' new deal, considering his age and production, compares very favorably to Ward's and Driver's.
The first order of business for the Washington Redskins in NFL free agency appears to have been completed. The team has re-signed wide receiver Santana Moss to a three-year contract worth $15 million, with a $6 million signing bonus, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The deal cannot be officially announced until Friday evening, but it appears to be done.
Moss, 32, is coming off one of the best seasons of his career, one that saw him snag a career-high 93 balls for 1,115 yards and six touchdowns. He had spoken about the desire to return to the Redskins, and had also said he wanted it to get done quickly. Mission accomplished on both fronts.
It remains unclear whether this affects the Redskins' pursuit of New York Jets wide receiver Santonio Holmes or Minnesota Vikings receiver Sidney Rice. Either way, Moss will be a part of the picture.
