Redskins defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth has been a no-show for nearly all offseason workouts, but not until now has his absence been truly consequential.
With Washington beginning its June mandatory minicamp on Wednesday, Haynesworth’s agent has announced that his client will not be in attendance.
“The Redskins are trying to establish a new regime with new schemes at Redskins Park, and it is not an organization that Albert would have ever been attracted to just a short year ago -- regardless of the money,” agent Chad Speck told the Washington Post. “He has made it clear to me that he does not want to play for the Washington Redskins.
“This situation will be a distraction to the Redskins and to Albert and his teammates,” added Speck. “I am certain Mike Shanahan and Bruce [Allen] want to get the most out of their first year and it’s probably in everyone’s best interests for the Redskins to make a deal and trade Albert.”
The team will reserve comment until minicamp begins Wednesday. Haynesworth has long been unhappy with the Redskins’ switch to a 3-4 defense, which would require him to tie up blockers as opposed to blow past them. His absence from a mandatory offseason camp, for which Haynesworth risks fines, may indicate that the Pro Bowl defensive tackle is also willing to sit out training camp.
According to Jason Reid of the Post, the Redskins “have had talks with clubs interested in acquiring Haynesworth,” despite the team’s claims to the contrary. It’s unclear if those talks have continued since April’s NFL draft.