Redskins Sign TE Jordan Reed To Five-Year, $50 Million Extension

The Washington Redskins took a big step on Thursday by signing tight end Jordan Reed to a five-year contract extension.

Redskins Sign TE Jordan Reed To Five-Year, $50 Million Extension

A source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter that the deal is worth $50 million and includes $22 million guaranteed. Reed’s deal will average $9.3 million per year, according to a person with knowledge of the situation, which would make him the second-highest-paid tight end in the NFL behind the Seattle Seahawks’ Jimmy Graham at $10 million per season. Reed, 25, said it was his priority to secure a deal this summer following a breakout season.

The Pro Bowl alternate led the Redskins last season with 87 catches for 952 yards (a franchise record for a tight end) and 11 touchdowns — all career highs.

“Honestly, I don’t want to be anywhere else than here,” Reed said Thursday. “I love it here. I love playing for the Redskins. I love all my coaches and all my teammates. I love this area, man. They gave me that deal, and I took it. It was a solid deal, and I’m just happy to be a Redskin.”

Durability has always been a problem with Reed. He missed a combined 12 games his first two seasons, but then played in 14 last year after undergoing a more rigorous offseason training regimen that he said has continued this year.

“It means a lot that the Redskins invested that kind of money into me and think that highly of me as a player and as a person,” Reed said. “That means a lot to me. I’m going to show them that they made a good investment, and I’m going to prove them right in making me one of the highest-paid [tight ends].”

Reed was originally seeking a contract worth $10 million per year. He fired agent Sunny Shah and signed with Joel Segal, who represents Redskins players such as wide receiver DeSean Jackson, defensive back DeAngelo Hall and linebacker Perry Riley Jr. According to a person with knowledge of the situation, the Redskins still didn’t change their initial offer of $9.3 million.

A third-round pick in 2013 out of the University of Florida, Reed has 182 career receptions for 1,916 yards and 14 touchdowns for the Redskins.

Even though discussions continued, Reed expressed concern that a deal wouldn’t be reached once the team signed cornerback Josh Norman two weeks ago to a five-year, $75 million deal. The Redskins have $4.8 million in cap space, and they won’t reap the $8 million savings from cutting cornerback Chris Culliver until June 1, but they were still able to strike a deal.

When he took over as general manager in January 2015, Scot McCloughan vowed to retain core Redskins players and keep the roster stocked with homegrown talent. McLoughan said he remains optimistic the team can work out a multiyear deal with quarterback Kirk Cousins, who signed a one-year franchise-player tender in March.

Now that Reed is set to stay with them through 2021, the Redskins will surely have a strong offense. The team added depth to the tight end position in the offseason by signing Maryland product Vernon Davis from the Denver Broncos. They also re-signed Logan Paulsen and expect Niles Paul to return from a gruesome ankle injury that cost him the entire season.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 26: Jordan Reed #86 of the Washington Redskins runs with the ball after a catch against the Philadelphia Eagles on December 26, 2015 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)