Coming into the 2015 season the Washington Redskins needed to make some upgrades to the defensive line. They had hired a new defensive coordinator in Joe Barry and with him there was a plan to change the Redskins 3-4 defense from a read and react scheme up front to an attacking gap shooting D-line.
Part of changing the scheme meant that the Redskins would need to add some players who fit it. Stephen Paea had a career season in 2014 for the Chicago Bears at defensive tackle where he notched six sacks and showed the kind of pass rushing ability the Redskins were seeking to add.