Make no mistake, Brian Orakpo is ready to get paid.
But he’s not pitching a fit about it, or staying away from offseason workouts with his teammates.
The Redskins outside linebacker has signed his franchise tender, worth $11.45 million this year, but is clearly hoping it’s replaced with a long-term contract.
“Once I signed on the dotted line, I don’t have to be here,” Orakpo said of the voluntary workouts, via Jason Reid of the Washington Post. “I could still [stay away] like the majority of NFL players do when they [get tagged].
“But nothing in my DNA wants to do that. I love my teammates. I wasn’t going to miss this opportunity.”
That made an impression on his teammates, who, as you might imagine, have his back.
“His commitment to showing up to this offseason program, wanting to get better and working … it speaks volumes,” cornerback DeAngelo Hall said. “Hopefully, they can get something worked out. But if you don’t get him done now, it’s probably going to cost a lot more later.”
Orakpo certainly doesn’t sound like a man planning for a hometown discount, either. His side has talked to General Manager Bruce Allen about an extension, but he wouldn’t speculate on the progress.
“I feel like it’s my time,” he said. “I deserve it. We’ll see what happens.
“But you’ve got to ask Bruce about [whether the sides have made progress]. You’ve got to ask them boys about that. Money talks.”
It always does, but Orakpo’s actions are also significant.