Despite missing the playoffs every year since 2015, the Washington Redskins have always found consistency in the play of former Purdue University linebacker Ryan Kerrigan.
The 16th overall pick of the 2011 draft has provided stability on a defensive unit with numerous lineup changes over the years. The four-time Pro Bowler opened up and expressed how he felt about the franchise and where he hopes his future lies.
“I obviously hope to be here for the duration of my football career, however long that is,” he said. “I’ve got to talk to [Redskins head coach Ron] Rivera a couple of times over the phone, haven’t really been able to meet him in person yet because of the whole lockdown and what not. Hopefully, I’m here for the long haul. I want to be here. They know where I stand, and I want to be here.”
Kerrigan has been the anchor for Washington’s defense since day one and was named to the NFL All-Rookie team in 2011 after he racked up 65 tackles, 7.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and an interception.
Kerrigan ranks in elite company with 90 career sacks, needing only two more to pass former Redskins great Dexter Manley as the franchise’s all-time leader. Since entering the league, he has played 140 games and accounted for 321 tackles and 26 forced fumbles.
The veteran linebacker has been working hard during the offseason to make that happen and improve on his performance last year having new additions with the likes of 2020 first-round pick and former Ohio State University standout Chase Young entering the mix.
“I got my trainer out here … he’s really forward-thinking with mobility and stuff like that, especially hip mobility,” Kerrigan said of his workouts. “So I’ve been doing a lot of different exercises that I’ve never done before with hip mobility and range of motion and things like that, just trying to stay limber and stay mobile. That’s been a big point of emphasis for me.”
As far as the new-look defense moving forward, Kerrigan believes that there is enough talent for them to compete at a high level despite last year’s collective performance as a unit.
“How we fare against our offense will be one thing, how consistent we are,” Kerrigan said. “Are we having one good day against our offense or one bad day? Are we stacking good day after good day after good day? If you’re doing that, then you kind of get the sense of, we’re going to be pretty good. That consistency will be a good telling point I think for us.”