Breaking: Redskins Release Jon Jansen

After 10 seasons and 123 NFL starts, right tackle Jon Jansen has been shown the door by the Washington Redskins. Jansen, a 6-foot-6 305-pound 33-year-old, was drafted in the second round of the 1999 draft by the Redskins out of Michigan. He became an immediate starter and put together a solid career in Washington.

Via press release from owner Dan Snyder Friday, the Redskins notified the media that they will move on. The full press release follows:

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA – The Washington Redskins announced today that they have released tackle Jon Jansen.

"This morning, Coach Zorn, Vinny Cerrato and I met with Jon," Redskins Owner Daniel M. Snyder said. "I've developed a close relationship with Jon and his family over the last 10 years and I have the utmost respect for him as a person and a player. He has been an important part of our organization for the past decade. We wish Jon and his family the very best."

Jansen originally entered the league as a second-round draft pick of the Redskins in 1999. He played in 126 games, with 123 starts, over the last 10 seasons.

"Decisions like this are difficult, especially with someone like Jon, who has meant a great deal to our organization and community," Redskins Executive Vice President of Football Operations Vinny Cerrato said. "Jon has been a fixture at the right tackle position for the past 10 seasons. He is a tough football player who played through injuries and displayed a great commitment to his teammates and coaches."

"We really admire Jon and the example that he set as a team leader both on and off the field," Redskins Head Coach Jim Zorn said. "He is a professional who was a valuable part of this franchise for a long time. Jon worked hard, laid it on the line each week and on many occasions played with injuries. Though we have elected to move in another direction, we appreciate Jon's commitment, leadership and dedication to the Redskins organization."

"I had a great player-coach relationship with Jon," Redskins Offensive Line Coach Joe Bugel said. "He is one of the toughest guys that I have ever coached. He was a great competitor who prepared well for each and every game. We appreciate his commitment to the Redskins and wish him the very best."

The Redskins will likely move forward with annual pro bowler Chris Samuels and Stephon Heyer as their tackles, but they do have several other options in house, should they wish to go a different route. The gargantuan Mike Williams, for example, is a very reasonable option at right tackle, should the 'Skins wish to keep Heyer as a backup on both sides of the line.

Considering the amount of veteran offensive lineman around the league who find work even as their play deteriorates, logic would dictate that a hard-working veteran like Jansen won't be out of work for long.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

5-29-2009 @ 2:19PM

DrThunder said...

Sad day for a Redskins' fan. Jansen was always a favorite, a true Redskin.

6-06-2009 @ 11:47PM

abrlcklnthewall said...

Sad, but it was time to move on. At a certain point we had to commit to the next generation and with the number of sacks Jason ate from the right, it was time to "pull the trigger." He's got work with the Lions now anyway.

5-29-2009 @ 2:54PM

Adam said...

Jansen was the man, but unfortunately, age and injuries caught up. Hopefully Heyer, Williams or Bridges step up and contribute as well as Jansen did all those years.

5-29-2009 @ 2:56PM

rlbrooks726 said...

All the wonderful comments from the Redskins management and coaches...but the bottom line is Jon...You're outta here. Thanks for your dedication and hard work, but we can get someone as good or almost as good who will do the job for less money.

5-29-2009 @ 3:32PM

#1SkinsFan said...

Yet one more example of what a total toolbox Dan Snyder is; Jansen should have played out his career as a Redskin but Snyder is so busy trying to buy a championship that he has to cut the true Redskins greats.
I really hate Dan Snyder!

rodbellinc said...

Jon has been great at right tackle. I think that its odd that the redskins cut him before training camp, and didnt he finish last year as the starter at RT? He did so even with a healthy Heyer on the bench. Doesnt make much sense to me. When you see a guy cut unexpectedly, it becomes understandable why players want to restructure their contracts every year. If the team doesnt have to respect their contract why should the players?

5-29-2009 @ 3:42PM

Well said rodbellinc,
At least we can know that Jansen will get picked up by another team and finish out a really strong career.
I wish him and his family the best and hope that he can get some revenge on the owner of my beloved Redskins.
Snyder and Cerrato make no sense to me whatsoever...

5-29-2009 @ 4:57PM

I don't know what games you two were watching last year, but Jansen just wasn't a very good tackle last season, and the couple the preceded it. We saw what happened with pass protection, and most successful runs were to the left side behind Samuels, not Jansen. He was good for a while, but the fact is, the age and injuries caught up with him, and he clearly couldn't compete at a high level for 16 games.

Skins fans appreciate his 10 years, but it was time for him to go.

5-29-2009 @ 3:49PM

skins2win said...

Jon was a good player for many years, but the injuries were too many, too often. Heyer should have gotten the position back after he recovered from his injuries last year, but for some reason they left Jon in there(bad choice I thought). Its great that we all have our favorite players, but I want the skins to win, not just be honorable to players who can't get the job done anymore.
Thanks for all your hard work Jon!

5-31-2009 @ 3:45PM

Steve said...

Thanks Jon for the hard work you have put in over the past 10 years..To all the post who say it was time for him to go YES we do want the Skins to improve and get the best players for the job but just stop for a second and think..OK he didnt have the best season last year but can you put hand on heart and say that he would have been the same this upcoming season given the chance to get the starting job..EVERY player in the NFL have had bad seasons at some time in their carrer ..To me he has been what the Redskins stand for and is a TRUE Skin ..I do hope now he has a good time and can get the starting job in Detroit..He will be missed ..HAILSKINS..Best Reagards Steve Dublin Ireland