The Washington Redskins made sure the strength of their defense will stay intact for at least the next several years as they signed defensive lineman Matt Ioannidis to a three-year extension Thursday morning, a source told ESPN.
The extension, which will prevent Ioannidis from hitting the free-agent market after this season, is worth up to $21.75 million, the source said.
The deal came together over the past two weeks and sped to a conclusion the last two days. There had been no negotiations prior to the owners' meetings in late March.
Ioannidis, a fifth-round pick in 2015 who was cut after his first training camp, has worked his way into being a solid starter for Washington, alongside Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen.