Washington Declining Foster’s Option

The deadline for NFL teams exercise the fifth-year option on 2017 first-round draft picks is May 4. According to the NFL Network's Mike Garafolo,the Washington Redskins have decided to decline Reuben Foster's fifth-year option. Foster, originally drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2017 first round was claimed off waivers by the Redskins in the fall of 2018.

Foster has yet to suit up for the Redskins as he tore his ACL in his first practice in Washington in May of 2019. He has subsequently dealt with nerve damage in his leg, complicating his rehab. The Redskins could still sign him to a long-term extension as he is under contract for the 2020 season but the team did opt to decline the fully guaranteed fifth-year option.

He has played in 16 games so far, all with the 49ers, and accumulated 101 tackles, seven quarterback hits and two pass deflections. Off the field issues led to the 49ers releasing Foster and him being placed on the commissioner's exempt list which gave the Redskins the opportunity to claim him off waivers.

Foster may be healthy enough to play in 2020 and show teams around the league he is worthy of a new contract in the spring of 2021.