Redskins release Jon Jansen

May 31, 9:00 AMWashington Redskins ExaminerMark Newgent

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So long Rock, we'll miss ya.

The longest tenured Washington Redskin is no longer. The team released right tackle Jon Jansen, Friday. The Redskins selected Jansen the Michigan Wolverine in the second round of the 1999 draft (37th overall). He quickly developed into a solid NFL lineman, starting 123 of 126 games for the Redskins earning him the nickname “Rock.” The injury bug hit him 2004 when Jansen tore his Achilles tendon in the Hall of Fame Game ending his season before it started. In 2005, Jansen helped the Redskins to the post season, playing with two broken thumbs. In 2006, he tore his calf muscle, and missed all but one game of the 2007 season after breaking his ankle in the season opener. A knee injury marred Jansen’s 2008 performance. He was the team’s perennial starter at right tackle until 2008 when Jim Zorn benched him in favor of Stephon Heyer. Jansen regained his starting position after an injury to Heyer. However, injury and age clearly affected Jansen’s performance, and the deterioration was on full display last season as Jansen’s troubles mirrored the entire offensive line’s woes.

Jim Zorn told the Examiner’s John Keim, “As we watched minicamp and [organized team activities], it became evident for me and talking with [line coach] Joe Bugel and [offensive coordinator] Sherman Lewis that it was best to take him out of the mix. And I couldn’t come to grips with him backing up [other positions] and taking away reps from younger guys… This was not easy for me…. This wasn’t a flippant decision."

The Redskins flew Jansen in from Michigan in order for Zorn to deliver the news face-to face. Jansen, according to WTOP was disappointed at the decision but understood, “my response was I would have hoped for a better chance at the OTAs and the minicamp and maybe some more reps. I think that their mind was made up prior to that, and that's OK. I just wish it would have happened a little sooner. ... There would have been more jobs available, more money available."

Jansen quickly found a job though as the AP is reporting that he is set to sign a one-year contract with the Detroit Lions.

The Redskins will take a heavy cap hit somewhere near $6 million for releasing Jansen. Releasing Jansen now makes sense when you figure in the fact that had they released him earlier say before the free agency period, signing Albert Haynesworth, DeAngelo Hall and Derrick Dockery would have been near impossible.

Releasing Jansen is move Zorn has wanted to make for a while and is an indication that he has more suction in the organization than most seem to think. We also have a bit clearer picture of the right tackle position. The job is Stephon Heyer’s to lose. Although, expect Mike Williams and Jeremy Bridges to push him hard in training camp.