Washington intercepted Tom Brady on successive possessions in the opening quarter and the Bucs never got on track as they slumped to a 29-19 defeat against a team that entered the game with a 2-6 record.
Brady was in no mood to dissect the reasons behind Tampa Bay's loss, as he took only three questions from the media following the game before starting to walk out of the press conference, then hanging on to provide clipped answers to a few more queries after reporters asked him to stay.
"We just never really played on our terms, played from behind the whole game and they played a good game. They had a good plan," Brady said.
"Not a great day of football for us. It doesn't matter who you play. If we have a bunch of self-inflicted errors, too, we've got to eliminate those and see if we can go out and execute the plays that are there."
Asked what happened on the two interceptions early in the game, Brady responded only: "We started with the ball. They came away with it."
Brady entered the game averaging 331.3 passing yards per game but finished with just 220 against a Washington team that entered Sunday allowing an NFL-worst 286.8 yards per game through the air.
Asked how he was feeling, Brady said quietly, "I like to win."
The Buccaneers (6-3) were particularly frustrated with their performance given they were coming off a bye week following a loss to the New Orleans Saints.
Head coach Bruce Arians' hopes of the team refocusing after the break were dashed immediately, as the Bucs were flagged for a false start on the first play of the game.
"The stupidity has to go away if we're going to go anywhere," Arians said. "It has nothing to do with ability. It's all about execution and being a smart football team. We're a very dumb football team, and that's a reflection on coaches.
"It's very disappointing. It's very alarming to watch the energy we practice with, and show the lack of execution and energy that it takes to win in this league on Sunday. We've got a lot of soul-searching to do."
"During my pre-draft training, I tested positive for COVID-19 on March 24," Gandy-Golden said in a statement released by his agent on Wednesday.
"My symptoms thankfully were mild, but I self-quarantined for two weeks and followed all guidelines from health experts. I was fully cleared April 7."
Two weeks after being cleared of the coronavirus, which has killed more than 327,000 worldwide, the Redskins selected Gandy-Golden in the fourth round with the 142nd overall pick.
Gandy-Golden is the third NFL player to publicly announce a positive test for COVID-19, joining Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller and Los Angeles Rams center Brian Allen.
The NFL franchise are working in conjunction with the Prince George's and Maryland Health Department to set up a community screening station in the stadium's parking lots.
Work began on Friday with the Maryland National Guard putting up 10 tents and handwashing stations. According to media reports, the testing facility will be up and running within the next week.
There have been nearly 27,000 reported COVID-19 cases in the United States so far, with 349 deaths.
Washington finished bottom of the NFC East last season with a 3-13 record. They fired head coach Jay Gruden during the disappointing campaign, naming Ron Rivera as successor in January.
Gruden was fired as head coach by the Washington Redskins in October following five straight defeats.
The Redskins have since appointed former Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera as a replacement for Gruden, who in December said he was "itching" to get back into a coaching role.
Gruden told the Rap Sheet podcast: "I'm itching to do something. You definitely miss the camaraderie of the players, the coaches. You've just got to get used to it and wait for your next opportunity.
"We'll see what happens. There's going to be some changes made. Hopefully I'll be in a position to talk to some owners and get another opportunity as head coach."
Gruden has now been given his chance, though it is not as a head coach. Instead, he has been appointed as the new OC for the Jaguars, who finished bottom of the AFC South with a 6-10 record.
"We went through a process and brought in people who have a ton of experience," Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone said. "All of the candidates are proven that they have done it at this level and done it at a high level.
"We were trying to find someone who's best for this staff, who's best for what you want to run, then you're looking for what person's best for your players – who's going to relate to the players, who's going to be able to communicate with them.
"At the end of the day, we just felt that Jay was the best fit for us."
Gruden spent five years as Redskins head coach, finishing with a 35-49-1 record overall and guiding them to the 2015 NFC East title.
The 52-year-old has experience working as an offensive coordinator, having fulfilled the role for the Cincinnati Bengals between 2011 and 2013.
He had also been linked with a possible switch to the Oakland Raiders, who are coached by his older brother Jon.
The naming rights sponsor of the Redskins' home ground, FedExField, the corporation's move comes following investors' demands on sponsors, according to the Washington Post.
There has been ongoing controversy over the NFL team's name and the matter has again come into focus amid anti-racism protests in the United States.
The Redskins' name is considered a racial slur against Native Americans.
In a statement to NFL.com, FedEx said: "We have communicated to the team in Washington our request that they change the team name."
The Redskins are preparing for the 2020 NFL season, having gone 3-13 last year.
Washington are without a playoff appearance since 2015.
Bugel began his NFL coaching career with the Detroit Lions in 1975 and was also with the Houston Oilers before joining the Redskins in 1981 and working under Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs through 1989.
He helped Washington win two Super Bowl titles in three appearances from 1982-87.
"I am absolutely devastated by the news of Joe's passing," Redskins owner Dan Snyder said. "Joe was a larger than life figure and a true legend of his profession. He exemplified what it meant to be a Redskin with his character and ability to connect with his players along with a work ethic that was unmatched.
"We shared a special bond and he was a great friend. He was a man who not only gave me a better understanding of the game of football, but who also gave me perspective on what is truly important in life. I absolutely adored him and will miss him terribly."
Gibbs said: "Joe had an incredible passion for the game of football. He came to work every day with such great excitement and his players had tremendous respect for him. The strength of our coaching staff on both sides of the ball was a key reason we had so much success.
"Bugel was such a big part of that and his impact was felt not only by those Redskins' teams, but truly across the entire league. I will miss his friendship and I will always cherish our late-night arguments putting together the game plan each week."
Bugel left Washington and became head coach of the Phoenix Cardinals from 1990-93, going 20-44. His next stop was with the Oakland Raiders, where he was the assistant head coach for offense from 1995-96 before posting a 4-12 record as head coach in 1997.
Bugel eventually made his way back to the Redskins, finishing his career as the assistant head coach for offense from 2004-09.
"His accomplishments as one of our sport's truly legendary coaches speak for themselves," Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill said. "But the first thing I think of is how he lived his life and the kind of quality human being Joe Bugel was.
"We join all of those who today celebrate his remarkable life and mourn his passing."
Caldwell, 41, was shot in his leg and chest outside his home, according to TMZ.
Caldwell's mother, Deborah Caldwell, told the Tampa Bay Times: "You get killed right here in your hometown? You made a statement here, and y'all just took it away from us?
"All of us are imperfect people, but he's perfect to me. He was my hero."
Caldwell was the leading receiver on the 2006 Patriots, who lost to the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship Game.
The Patriots said in a Twitter message: "We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of former Patriot Reche Caldwell. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends."
Caldwell played for the University of Florida before the San Diego Chargers selected him in the second round of the 2002 draft.
The Gators said: "We are deeply saddened by the loss of former Gator WR Reche Caldwell."
He had 152 catches for 1,851 yards and 11 touchdowns in an NFL career that also included a stint with the Washington Redskins.
The Chargers also expressed sorrow at hearing the news, saying: "Our thoughts and prayers go out to Reche’s family, friends and teammates during this difficult time."
Caldwell’s brother, Andre Caldwell, also played at the University of Florida and spent eight seasons in the NFL.
Norman joined the franchise on a five-year contract worth $75million in April 2016, making him the highest paid cornerback in the history of the NFL at the time.
However, the 32-year-old fell out of favour towards the end of the 2019 season. He did not start in their final six games, suggesting his spell with Washington was coming towards an end.
In releasing the player, the Redskins – who are yet to officially confirm the roster move - will save $12.43m in salary cap space.
"It's their choice not mine," Norman told Julie Donaldson of NBC Sports Washington. "Now I can start something new and fresh."
Norman previously played for the Carolina Panthers, where he worked with new Redskins head coach Ron Rivera.
The fifth-round draft pick was named first-team All-Pro after the 2015 season but failed to agree terms on a new long-term contract in Carolina, leading to him becoming an unrestricted free agent.
In his four years with the Redskins, Norman had seven interceptions and eight forced fumbles.
Brady is expected to be announced as a Tampa Bay Buccaneer after deciding to end his 20-season association with the Patriots.
However, his change of scenery is far from the only transaction affecting the NFL landscape. Here, we wrap up the significant moves reported to have been agreed as the new league year began on Wednesday.
Nick Foles, who got the better of Brady in Super Bowl LII, is reportedly headed to the Chicago Bears after the Jacksonville Jaguars agreed to trade him in exchange for a fourth-round pick.
The Jags are parting with Foles just a year after signing the former Philadelphia Eagle to a four-year, $88million contract. He will now provide competition for Mitchell Trubisky, whose role as the Bears' starter is under threat after a disappointing 2019.
Foles' departure allows Gardner Minshew to step in as the starter in Jacksonville. Sixth-round pick Minshew outplayed Foles, who was limited to four games because of injury, last year and will now get the chance to prove he is the Jaguars' franchise quarterback.
Brady's last game as a Patriot came in a playoff defeat to the Tennessee Titans, who made the surprising decision to deal defensive lineman Jurrell Casey to the Denver Broncos in exchange for a seventh-round pick. Casey has at least five sacks in each of the last seven seasons.
The Detroit Lions were also involved in the trade market, acquiring safety Duron Harmon from the Patriots. Detroit agreed to a two-year deal with defensive linemen Danny Shelton. Both players have a connection with Lions head coach Matt Patricia from his time as New England's defensive coordinator.
Another former Patriot, center Ted Karras, is staying in the division, signing a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins.
The New Orleans Saints are said to have agreed a deal to bring back safety Malcolm Jenkins after he was let go by the Eagles. Jenkins was drafted by the Saints in 2009 before leaving for the Eagles in 2014.
Their NFC South rivals the Carolina Panthers released safety Eric Reid, while the Atlanta Falcons inked edge rusher Dante Fowler to a three-year contract.
Leonard Floyd will fill the void Fowler's exit left for the Los Angeles Rams, who have re-signed guard Austin Blytheand veteran left tackle Andrew Whitworth.
Elsewhere in the NFC West, the Seattle Seahawks have brought back former first-round pick Bruce Irvin, the pass rusher who played a key role in their Super Bowl-winning 2013 season. Reigning NFC champions the San Francisco 49ers re-signed center Ben Garland to a one-year deal.
The Los Angeles Chargers may have missed out on Brady, but they have bolstered their defense with the signing of defensive tackle Linval Joseph. Cornerback Chris Harris also intends to sign with the Chargers.
Cornerback Eli Apple will play a part in the Raiders' first season in Las Vegas, while safety Sean Davis is headed to the Washington Redskins on a one-year deal.
Left tackle Williams was traded to the Niners from the Washington Redskins on Saturday.
The arrival of Williams, who is in the last year of his contract, came on the same day in which Joe Staley announced his retirement after 13 seasons with San Francisco.
Williams did not feature in the NFL last year due to a dispute with the Redskins, who received a fifth-round pick in this season's draft and a third-round pick in 2021.
The Niners, beaten by the Kansas Chiefs in the Super Bowl in February, are excited to have landed Williams but are in no hurry to tie the 31-year-old down to a long-term contract.
Lynch said: "I think the plan was to land him right now and then let the rest kind of work itself out.
"I think it's always an advantage when you get someone in the building, on your roster. Now you've got a chance.
"We'll get a really good look at him. We'll see where the rest of our team is at, but right now we are just ecstatic that we were able to pull it off at a really opportune time.
"You're losing a great player like Joe at a very critical position, to be able to have everything line up that he was available right then and for us to be able to land him, I think very fortuitous for us, and we're very excited about that."
With the coronavirus pandemic forcing the draft to be held remotely with NFL general managers, coaches and scouts isolated in their homes instead of inside team complexes, the virtual draft ran smoothly – and without much drama early on Thursday.
In what has been widely expected for weeks, and possibly months, the Cincinnati Bengals selected LSU Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Joe Burrow with the first overall pick.
Burrow led LSU to the national title last season, completing 76.3 percent of his passes for 5,671 yards and an FBS-single season record 60 touchdowns to just six interceptions.
The second pick also went exactly like how many draft experts had predicted for weeks, with the Washington Redskins drafting Ohio State edge rusher Chase Young.
Young led the FBS with 16.5 sacks and six forced fumbles in 2019, and was regarded to be the most talented player in the draft class – even ahead of Burrow.
If not for Burrow's incredible 2019 season and because of Tua Tagovailoa's injury concerns, the latter may have challenged for the top spot in the 2020 draft.
Tagovailoa became the second quarterback off the board when he was selected by the Miami Dolphins with the fifth pick.
One pick after Tagovailoa, the Los Angeles Chargers took Oregon QB Justin Herbert – just the third time since the 1970 merger three quarterbacks were chosen in the top six picks.
Three teams that had selected quarterbacks in the first round of the last two drafts, used the 2020 draft to beef up their offensive lines to protect their young, franchise QBs.
The New York Giants (Daniel Jones at six in 2019) picked Georgia tackle Andrew Thomas at fourth overall, the Cleveland Browns (Baker Mayfield at one in 2018) selected Alabama tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. with the 10th pick, and the New York Jets (Sam Darnold third in 2018) used the next pick to select Louisville tackle Mekhi Becton.
After this run on tackles, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took part in the first trade of the draft to insure their new – and aging – quarterback would also stay upright. They moved up one spot in a trade with the San Francisco 49ers to select Iowa tackle Tristan Wirfs at 13 to shore up the offensive line in front of Tom Brady.
The next trade came 10 picks later as Brady's old team, New England Patriots, dealt pick 23 to the Chargers – who selected Oklahoma linebacker Kenneth Murray. The Patriots received a second and third-round pick from the Chargers and now have five of the first 100 picks of the 2020 draft and 13 overall.
While it is possible New England could use one of those picks to draft Brady's replacement, the Green Bay Packers have chosen the heir apparent to 36-year-old Aaron Rodgers, trading up from 30th to 26th to select Utah State quarterback Jordan Love.
The opening round concluded with the defending Super Bowl champions the Kansas City Chiefs selecting the first running back to bookend the first round with LSU picks, taking Clyde Edwards-Helaire – the 14th player drafted out of the SEC.
Wide receiver is considered to be the deepest position in the draft, and six went in the first round – but none until 12, when Alabama's Henry Ruggs III became the first player ever selected by the Raiders in their new home of Las Vegas.
While Las Vegas was not able to host the draft festivities this year, Goodell announced that the city has been awarded the 2022 draft, with the commissioner saying, "We think you deserve another shot".
First round selections:
1. Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals)
2. Chase Young (Washington Redskins)
3. Jeff Okudah (Detroit Lions)
4. Andrew Thomas (New York Giants)
5. Tua Tagovailoa (Miami Dolphins)
6. Justin Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers)
7. Derrick Brown (Carolina Panthers)
8. Isaiah Simmons (Arizona Cardinals)
9. CJ Henderson (Jacksonville Jaguars)
10. Jedrick Wills Jr. (Cleveland Browns)
11. Mekhi Becton (New York Jets)
12. Henry Ruggs III (Las Vegas Raiders)
13. Tristan Wirfs (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
14. Javon Kinlaw (San Francisco 49ers)
15. Jerry Jeudy (Denver Broncos)
16. A.J. Terrell (Atlanta Falcons)
17. CeeDee Lamb (Dallas Cowboys)
18. Austin Jackson (Miami Dolphins)
19. Damon Arnette (Las Vegas Raiders)
20. K'Lavon Chaisson (Jacksonville Jaguars)
21. Jalen Reagor (Philadelphia Eagles)
22. Justin Jefferson (Minnesota Vikings)
23. Kenneth Murray (Los Angeles Chargers)
24. Cesar Ruiz (New Orleans Saints)
25. Brandon Aiyuk (San Francisco 49ers)
26. Jordan Love (Green Bay Packers)
27. Jordyn Brooks (Seattle Seahawks)
28. Patrick Queen (Baltimore Ravens)
29. Isaiah Wilson (Tennessee Titans)
30. Noah Igbinoghene (Miami Dolphins)
31. Jeff Gladney (Minnesota Vikings)
32. Clyde Edwards-Helaire (Kansas City Chiefs)
The 49ers executed three trades on Saturday, highlighted by the acquisition of disgruntled left tackle and seven-time Pro Bowler Trent Williams from the Washington Redskins, giving up a fifth-round pick this season and a third-round selection in 2021.
Williams will take the place of Joe Staley, who announced his retirement after a 13-year career in San Francisco that included six Pro Bowls.
The 49ers also traded running back Matt Breida to the Miami Dolphins for a fifth-round pick and sent wide receiver Marquise Goodwin to the Philadelphia Eagles while swapping picks in the sixth round.
The Eagles entered the draft on a mission to improve a receiving corps that was historically impotent last season. In addition to trading for Goodwin, Philadelphia spent first-, fifth- and sixth-round picks on wide receivers, including Boise State's John Hightower and Southern Mississippi's Quez Watkins on Saturday.
Quarterback selections played a prominent role again as the Indianapolis Colts used their fourth-round pick – 122nd overall – on Washington quarterback Jacob Eason.
The 6-foot-6 signal-caller began his career at Georgia but transferred to his home state of Washington and may be Indianapolis' quarterback of the future.
The player who replaced Eason at Georgia, Jake Fromm, had to wait until the 22nd pick of the fifth round to hear his name called by the Buffalo Bills.
The New York Jets selected a quarterback in the fourth round, grabbing Florida International's James Morgan, and Oregon State's Jake Luton, another 6-foot-6 quarterback, fell to the sixth round and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Four more quarterbacks were taken in the seventh round, but one team that did not select a QB all weekend was the New England Patriots.
Despite the departure of Tom Brady to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this offseason, the Patriots passed on adding a rookie at the position, leaving journeyman Brian Hoyer and second-year Auburn product Jarrett Stidham as the only quarterbacks on the New England roster.
The Patriots, however, did draft a replacement for a franchise legend in the fifth round by selecting Marshall kicker Justin Rohrwasser, who will take the place of franchise scoring leader Stephen Gostkowski.
The Carolina Panthers and new head coach Matt Rhule used all seven of their picks on defensive players, tying the 1985 Cleveland Browns for most picks on one side of the ball. The Browns used all seven picks on offense.
National champion LSU had the most players selected with 14, tied with Ohio State in 2004 for the most by any single school in a seven-round draft.
Rivera coached Newton over the course of nine years at the Carolina Panthers and they reached Super Bowl 50 together after an MVP season from the QB in 2015.
Along with Andy Dalton, Newton is among the top signal callers available on the open market and Rivera has not ruled out a reunion.
For now, though, he appears willing to proceed with Dwayne Haskins, last year's first-round pick for the Redskins, and third-year pro Kyle Allen, whom he acquired in a trade with his old team the Panthers.
"You know, the thing about Cam really is the situation," Rivera, who was appointed as Washington head coach in January, told NFL Network's Good Morning Football.
"We're in a situation where we've got two really young quarterbacks.
"One that's been with us [Allen], been in the system, understands how we want things done and the other one is a guy [Haskins] who was taken last year in the first round and shows some promise.
"I think with Cam, and I have thought about it, I mean, it's something that's run through my mind, and it's about the situation and circumstances.
"I'm not sure I would do it. I'm not sure if I wouldn't do it. It depends on circumstances."
Speculation has connected Newton with the New England Patriots, but the 30-year-old remains a free agent after his release from the Panthers last month.
The Los Angeles Chargers and Miami Dolphins both drafted first-round QBs in last week's draft, while Jameis Winston accepted a backup role with the New Orleans Saints.
The tender is worth more than $15million for the upcoming season, making Scherff the highest-paid guard for 2020.
The fifth overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft, Scherff started 11 games for the Redskins last season and permitted only one and a half sacks to earn his third Pro Bowl selection.
The 28-year-old, who was also selected to the Pro Bowl in 2016 and 2017, has appeared in 65 regular-season games and made as many starts in his first five seasons in the NFL.
He is just the fourth of 15 players given the franchise or transition tag this season to sign his tender, following New England Patriots guard Joe Thuney, Arizona Cardinals runningback Kenyan Drake and Tennessee Titans runningback Derrick Henry.
There have been nationwide protests in the United States after Floyd – an African-American man – died in police custody in Minneapolis on May 25.
A police officer was filmed kneeling on Floyd's neck during an arrest after he was crying out for help as he was handcuffed and pinned to the ground.
Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick was the first player to kneel during the anthem in protest against racial injustice in 2016, before he was released the following year.
New Orleans Saints star Drew Brees said players who knelt during the anthem were "disrespecting the flag", comments which sparked fierce backlash and led to an apology.
Peterson – a former team-mate of Brees in New Orleans – weighed in and the 35-year-old told the Houston Chronicle: "Just four years ago, you're seeing [Colin] Kaepernick taking a knee, and now we're all getting ready to take a knee together going into this season, without a doubt."
"Yeah, without a doubt, without a doubt," 2012 NFL MVP Peterson replied when asked if he personally planned to take a knee.
"We've got to put the effort in as a group collectively. Are they going to try to punish us all? If not, playing football is going to help us save lives and change things, then that's what it needs to be."
Redskins veteran and seven-time Pro Bowler Peterson, who moved to Washington from the Arizona Cardinals in 2018, ran for 898 yards and five touchdowns last season.
Star left tackle Williams did not make an appearance in 2019 due to a dispute with the Redskins, who received a fifth-round pick in this season's draft and a third-round pick in 2021 from the Niners.
Beaten in the Super Bowl in February, San Francisco were in need of defensive reinforcements and reportedly saw off competition from the Minnesota Vikings and the Cleveland Browns to secure Williams' services.
The Vikings, according to reports, had been in line to commit to a similar deal as the Niners, but 31-year-old Williams – a seven-time Pro Bowler – preferred a move to San Francisco.
Williams leaves the Redskins after nine years with the team, having made 119 starts.
On Saturday, he posted on his Instagram account: "Can someone make me a San Fran edit."
San Francisco later confirmed the deal was complete, pending Williams passing physical tests.
Washington selected tackle Saahdiq Charles from LCU as Williams' replacement, with the 108th pick overall.
The Minnesota Twins removed a monument of Calvin Griffin from the grounds of their home stadium of Target Field as a response to insensitive remarks he made about African-Americans during a speech in 1978. In the nation's capital, Washington officials ordered the removal of a statue of George Preston Marshall that stood outside the Redskins' former home of RFK Stadium.
Marshall had a long-standing policy of refusing to sign black players for the majority of his ownership of the Redskins, which lasted from the franchise's inception in Boston in 1932 until his death in 1969. The Redskins did not sign a black player until 1962 after being pressured by both the city and national government.
"We believe that injustice and inequality of all forms is reprehensible and we are firmly committed to confronting unequal treatment and working together toward healing our city and country," Events DC, the convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia, said in a statement. "Removing this statue is a small and and overdue step on the road to lasting equality and justice.
"Allowing the memorial to remain on the RFK campus goes against Events DC's values of inclusion and equality and is a disturbing symbol to many in the city we serve."
The Marshall monument had previously been vandalised by protesters advocating the Redskins change the team name, viewed by many as disparaging towards Native Americans.
Griffith, who moved the Washington Senators to Minnesota in 1961 and remained the Twins' principal owner until 1984, was quoted by the Minneapolis Tribune as saying he relocated the franchise "when I found out you only had 15,000 blacks here." The comments were made during a speech at a Lions club event in Waseca, Minnesota in 1978.
"While we acknowledge the prominent role Calvin Griffith played in our history, we cannot remain silent and continue ignoring the racist comments he made in Waseca in 1978," the Twins said in a statement. "His disparaging words displayed a blatant intolerance and disregard for the Black community that are the antithesis of what the Minnesota Twins stand for and value.
"Our decision to memorialise Calvin Griffith with a statue reflects an ignorance on our part of systemic racism present in 1978, 2010 and today. We apologise for our failure to adequately recognise how the statue was viewed and the pain it caused for many people - both inside the Twins organisation and across Twins territory. We cannot remove Calvin Griffith from the history of the Minnesota Twins, but we believe removal of this statue is an important and necessary step in our ongoing commitment to provide a Target Field experience where every fan and employee feels safe and welcome."
The Twins' actions come amid still-heightened tensions in the Twin Cities following George Floyd's death while in custody of Minneapolis police last month, and took place on Juneteenth - a holiday commemorating the day the U.S. government publicly declared slaves to be free on June 19, 1865.
Considered by many to be the most talented player in the draft class – even including the Cincinnati Bengals' number one pick Joe Burrow – Young is an elite athlete, bringing tremendous strength and speed to rush the quarterback.
The 6-foot-5 Young led the FBS with 16.5 sacks and six forced fumbles in 2019. He also had pressure on 35 per cent of his pass rushes, highest in the subdivision among those with at least 120 pass rushes.
Utilising a quick first step and a strong upper body, Young was a constant presence in opponent backfields, accumulating 21 tackles for loss – tying for fourth most in the FBS in 2019.
Young won a bevy of awards for his play this past season as the top defensive lineman in the country and became just the fourth D-lineman since 1982 to be voted a Heisman Trophy finalist.
Held in the same high regard as Julius Peppers and Jevon Kearse, Young is viewed as a difference-maker on the line of scrimmage and someone who will be the face of the Washington defense for years to come, wreaking havoc on opposing offenses.
Washington had until February 25 to exercise their club option, which ensures them of Peterson's services for next season on a $2.25million salary and keeps him out of free agency.
Peterson will carry a cap hit of $3.1m and his dead cap figure would have been just $750,000, but his importance to the Redskins was underlined by their move to keep him, which was announced on Wednesday.
A month ahead of his 35th birthday, Peterson has kickstarted his career with the Redskins, starting 31 of their 32 games in the last two seasons, rushing for 1,940 yards and 12 touchdowns.
The seven-time Pro Bowler has added 37 catches, 350 yards and a further score through the air and will remain with the rebuilding team, who have second-year pro Dwayne Haskins at quarterback.
Ron Rivera, the team's new head coach, hailed Peterson's professionalism as he sets about improving on a disappointing 3-13 season.
"Adrian Peterson is the epitome of what it means to be a pro in this league," said Rivera, whose team hold the second overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
"Adrian's leadership and passion towards the game of football will set an example of what is expected of the players in this program moving forward."
Peterson enters his 13th NFL season fifth all-time in rushing yards with 14,216, a total which is 1,054 behind Barry Sanders, and fourth in career rushing touchdowns having scored 111.
The decision on Wednesday to get rid of the name of the known racist from inside the Redskins' stadium of FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland, as well as the history wall at the team's training facility in Ashburn, Virginia, comes four days after a section of seating that bore Marshall's name at FedEx Field was renamed after late Hall of Famer Bobby Mitchell, the franchise’s first Black player.
A day before that name change at FedEx Field, Washington officials ordered the removal of a statue of Marshall that stood outside the Redskins' one-time home of RFK Stadium.
Marshall had a long-standing policy of refusing to sign black players for the majority of his ownership of the Redskins, which lasted from the franchise's inception in Boston in 1932 until his death in 1969. The Redskins did not sign a black player until 1962 after being pressured by both the city and national government.
"We believe that injustice and inequality of all forms is reprehensible and we are firmly committed to confronting unequal treatment and working together toward healing our city and country," Events DC, the convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia, said in a statement last week.
"Removing this statue is a small and an overdue step on the road to lasting equality and justice."
