On letting Ryan Kerrigan go and grooming talent for the future

Photo by Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post via Getty ImagesWith Ryan Kerrigan’s signing by Philadelphia official now, it seems like a good time to reflect on a couple of key features of his departure. On the last year of his contract in 2020, there was some question about whether the team was going to keep Kerrigan and his $11.7M, non-guaranteed contract around.

Coach Rivera ultimately retained Kerrigan, albeit in a part-time role, while Montez Sweat and rookie Chase Young assumed their mantles on either side of the defensive line. At the end of the season, Kerrigan expressed his interest in retaining a starting role (and, presumably, the salary that would come with that), and Rivera passed…