Mason Foster is returning to the Redskins after spending the last three seasons in Washington. During that time frame, his 187 tackles are the third most by a Redskins player.
The Washington Redskins announced on Thursday that they have re-signed linebacker Mason Foster.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Foster recently completed his seventh season in the NFL and third with the Redskins. In his career, the University of Washington product has collected 535 tackles with 16 passes defensed, 7.5 sacks, six interceptions and four fumbles forced.
After spending his first four seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after being selected in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft, Foster briefly was a member of the Chicago Bears before signing with the Redskins in September 2015.
In his first season with the Redskins, Foster appeared in 13 games with five starts, collecting 37 tackles with one fumble forced. In 2016, meanwhile, Foster appeared in all 16 of Washington's regular season games with 13 starts and recorded a career-high 124 tackles. In five different games Foster recorded at least 10 tackles including a season-high 17 tackles against the New York Giants in Week 17.
His 17 tackles were the most credited by the NFL to a member of the Redskins in a single game since Oct. 7, 2012 (20, London Fletcher).
Foster began the 2017 season as Washington's starting Mike linebacker, as he recorded nine tackles in the regular season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles before sealing Washington's Week 2 victory over the Los Angeles Rams with a late interception.
Foster recorded the pick despite dealing with a torn labrum for most of the game.
Check out behind the scenes images from Linebacker, Mason Foster's 2017 Redskins Photo Shoot
"Very tough individual," said Redskins head coach Jay Gruden following the game about Foster. "He's played multi-linebacker, both linebacker positions – been very successful. He's a great leader for us. Does anything he wants – special teams – and it's great when you have a high-character guy like that, have some production so people can start to realize what a great player he is, not just a great guy."
The Seaside, Calif., native recorded the game-winning play in front of some of his biggest supporters.
"It's not my home, but all my family's here, my little brother, my cousin, so it was a great feeling, man, to get a big win out here in front of some of my closest friends," Foster said.
In total, Foster appeared in five games during the 2017 season, recording 31 tackles before being placed on Injured Reserve due to his shoulder injury.
The 28-year-old now returns to Washington's roster alongside Martrell Spaight and Zach Vigil among others at the inside linebacker position. Zach Brown and Will Compton are currently still set to become unrestricted free agents.
Foster took to Twitter shortly after signing his new contract:
