The Washington Redskins made a curiously timed roster move, releasing Mason Foster, their leading tackler from a season ago.
The move frees up $4 million in cap space for the Redskins that could help them rework the deal of star offensive lineman Trent Williams. But to do it so close to training camp did not sit well with Foster’s agent, Blake Baratz.
“If you ever want to doubt that there is zero good faith in the NFL business, look no further than the Redskins cutting Mason Foster today, the day he was heading to report for camp,” Baratz tweeted. “Nine-year veteran, captain of the defense, played 99 percent of the snaps last season and cannot even get a straight answer as to why.
“Keep in mind the team has been off for 5 weeks and he was the starting [middle linebacker] the entire offseason. I operate in good faith as a human being and as a business, I expect more from the NFL and certain organizations in particular, we can be better.”
Foster, who started all 16 games and made 131 tackles this offseason, was placed on the trading block in March, but the Redskins couldn’t find any takers for the 30-year-old. To do it now, though, limits Foster’s options in finding his next team.
He started 38 games during his four years with the Redskins.

