New Cardinals linebacker Lorenzo Alexander didn’t necessarily want to leave the Redskins, but said he felt he had no choice when his old team changed their offer at the last minute.
Alexander told David Elfin of 106.7 The Fan that the Redskins went from offering $2.6 million in guarantees on a three-year deal to $1.4 million Monday, which made him take another look at his loyalty.
“I was ready to sign back with the Redskins on Monday night, but it wound up not being close at all,” Alexander said. “They were offering $2.6 [million guaranteed] with an overall contract of $7.5 million over three years. The next day, they called back and said they would only guarantee $1.4 [million] of that. Dropping more than a million dollars overnight without any reason, I couldn’t take that money out of my kids’ mouths. Based on everything I’ve done [for] this organization, doing everything the right way, it was just a bad way to treat me.
“I understand the business, but, . . . it didn’t sit right at all with me.”
A Redskins spokesman denied that, saying Alexander’s “statement is not true.”
But the cow’s out of the barn now, as Alexander signed a three-year deal with the Cardinals worth $9.5 million, with $3 million in guarantees.
“They were there from the beginning,” Alexander said of the Cardinals. “They really wanted me. They were head and shoulders above most teams financially other than San Francisco where I would have played mostly on special teams.
“The Cardinals have already kind of pegged me in a starting role which is very exciting for me. I’ll be a linebacker that helps out on special teams instead of special teams being my bread and butter. It’s going to allow me to grow as a player. I won’t be tired when I’m on defense.”
And even if he is, he’ll be able to rest easier knowing he’s working for someone who values him more highly.