Linebacker Brian Orakpo is picking the wrong year to be negotiating a contract extension. The young Washington Redskins' standout is entering into the final year of his rookie contract, but is also coming off an injury season. As the Redskins prepare to enter training camp, it seemed likely Orakpo would sign an extension this offseason. However, the two sides are not negotiating and Orakpo is saying he is not worried at all.
Orakpo spent most of last season. He tore his pectoral muscle in Week 2 of the 2012 season, ending his year. This is the second time he has suffered the injury, preventing him from having any impact on the year. This injury history is causing the Redskins to force the linebacker into playing out the final year in his rookie contract before giving him a pay raise and a long-term deal.
"I'm not worried about it. I'm concentrating on having a successful season. Everything will take care of itself," Orakpo said.
The linebacker knows that if he can return to top form, he will get that highly anticipated deal. He made the Pro Bowl in his first two seasons in the NFL when he recorded 29.5 sacks in 49 games. Orakpo has certainly proven to have the talent of a franchise player; he just needs to prove he is as healthy as one.
Orakpo declared himself 100 percent healthy in mid-April and has been back at full force in practice. The Redskins are certainly hoping having Orakpo back at full health will help raise the level of the defense. Last season, Washington ranked 30th in the league in pass rushing. A return to form from Orakpo should help solve that. As minicamps wrap up, players are already noticing difference having the linebacker back.
"I don't think we understood how much we missed 'Rak until we saw him probably that first day of OTAs and saw him get off the ball. We were watching old film and we were like, 'That's what we need, 'Rak, every play,'...'Rake is in a similar situation to myself. He's playing on a one-year deal. He has a lot to prove," cornerback DeAngelo Hall said.
While the players are raising the expectations for Orakpo, he is raising them for himself as well. The linebacker fully intends on winning Defensive Player of the Year this season. He believes all the hours of rehabbing will pay off. He is certainly hoping it not only pays off on the football field, but with his future in Washington as well.