Redskins Sign Defensive Tackle Stephen Paea
The Washington Redskins opened the 2015 NFL free-agency period by signing former Chicago Bears defensive tackle Stephen Paea.
Ex-#Bears DT Stephen Paea gets $21M for 4 years and $15M guaranteed from #Redskins. Great deal for him; not worth as much in #Bears new 3-4.
— Bob LeGere (@BobLeGere) March 10, 2015
Stephen Paea four-year Redskins deal: $21M, $5M bonus, $7.85M gtd; salaries $2.85M, $3.3M, $4.4M, $4.85M, 2015 base gtd.
— Aaron Wilson (@RavensInsider) March 11, 2015
Paea (6-1, 300 lbs) is coming off his best season as a pro, the 26 year-old had six sacks and two forced fumbles while starting all 16 games for the first time in his four-year career. In his four years in Chicago Paea has 94 tackles, 12 sacks, 5 passes defended and 2 forced fumbles.
The signing of Paea signals a possible change in technique for the Redskins along the defensive line as Paea is more of a one-gap rusher in the 3-4. Paea will likely play end in the Redskins base package scheme and move inside on third/passing downs.
The Redskins are looking to re-tool their defensive line this off-season having already cut Stephen Bowen and Barry Cofield, saving nearly $10 million in cap space in the process. The team also signed defensive lineman Ricky Jean-Francois a couple weeks back. Jean-Francois was drafted by new Redskins GM Scot McCloughan while in San Francisco.
Below is a video of Paea at the NFL combine when he broke the bench-press record.
