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News | Washington Commanders - Commanders.com

Redskins Re-Sign Linebacker Will Compton

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After starting a career-high 15 games during the 2016 season, linebacker Will Compton has been re-signed by the Redskins. He is entering his fourth season in Washington.

The Washington Redskins have re-signed restricted free agent linebacker Will Compton, the team announced on Monday.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Compton, 27, is entering his fourth season with the Redskins after originally joining Washington's roster as a college free agent on May 2, 2013.

For his career, the University of Nebraska product has collected 249 tackles (146 solo), three fumble recoveries, two interceptions, one sack and one fumble forced.

During the 2016 season, Compton started all 15 of his regular season appearances, recording career highs in tackles (104, including 60 solo), passes defensed (five), fumbles recovered (two), fumbles forced (one) and matching his career high in interceptions (one).

Serving as the starting Mike linebacker, Compton was elected one of the team's defensive captains during the season along with veteran safety DeAngelo Hall.

Compton also appeared on 938 defensive snaps during his 15 appearances, second most on the Redskins behind only cornerback Josh Norman (1,059).

Now back in the fold for the 2017, Compton is excited to see his own personal growth within an inside linebackers corps that now includes Pro Bowler Zach Brown.

Brown recorded a career-high 149 tackles last season with the Buffalo Bills. It was the second most tackles by an individual player in the NFL.

Check out behind the scenes images from Linebacker, Will Compton's 2016 Redskins Photo Shoot.

"The more I put into it, the more excited I get," Compton said during the offseason. "The guys in the building, I feel like we have a lot of great people from top to bottom in the building. ...I think we have a really great group of guys. We can build in a lot of different areas, but I'm excited."

Along with Compton and Brown, the Redskins also return Mason Foster and Martrell Spaight along with 2016 seventh-round pick Steven Daniels. Khairi Fortt, meanwhile, was signed in January on a Reserve/Future contract.

Compton's hope for the upcoming season is that the group can set the tempo for a defense that also now features defensive linemen Terrell McClain and Stacy McGee along with safety D.J. Swearinger.

To help him prepare for this season, leading that unit with quite a few new faces, Compton spent a portion of his offseason working with four-time Pro Bowl linebacker London Fletcher. 

Compton and Fletcher were teammates during the 2013 season. Compton's NFL debut was the same game Fletcher appeared in his final NFL game. 

"Honored and grateful to have spent the last couple days w/ London Fletcher," Compton said in an Instagram post. "Outside of the film study, workouts, and leadership he's a hell of an example to look up to as a family man."

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