2012 NFL Free Agents: Why Re-Signing London Fletcher Is Essential for Redskins

Most of the offseason talk surrounding the Washington Redskins this year has centered around their quest to obtain a franchise quarterback.

But, whoever finds himself under center for the Redskins next year may be paddling upstream if the team fails to retain the services of one of their defensive linchpins.

Linebacker London Fletcher, who may be the single most underrated player in the entire National Football League, is set to hit free agency on March 13.

While the 14th-year veteran certainly isn't getting any younger, age didn't seem to bother the 36-year-old in 2011. He led the NFL with 166 tackles.

It was originally believed that Fletcher—who hasn't missed a game in his five seasons in Washington—would almost certainly be returning to the Redskins. Eearlier this, month general manager Bruce Allen told the team's website that re-signing Fletcher was one of Washington's priorities this offseason.

"We want to, we want to–and he wants to come back," Allen said. "We’re gonna take care of business. He’s a captain.  We want our captain back."

Fletcher has also indicated that he would prefer to remain in Washington, but talks have apparently bogged down between Fletcher and the organization. As Fletcher recently told Bill Polian on Sirius XM NFL, Fletcher is becoming increasingly frustrated both with the pace of negotiations and the Redskins losing ways.

"Hopefully, we’ll get something done,” Fletcher said Tuesday night. “But if I make it to March 13 (unsigned), who knows?"

"There’s not much to celebrate when you go 5-11," Fletcher went on. "People like to say, ‘You beat the (New York) Giants twice.’ Well, that means absolutely nothing because they’re holding the Lombardi Trophy and we’re holding nothing."

It's nearly unfathomable that the Redskins would even tempt fate by allowing Fletcher to hit the open market. Although there's no denying the fact that Fletcher is nearing the end of the line, there's also no denying that he hasn't missed a game or racked up fewer than 120 tackles in a season in over a decade.

Fletcher remains an incredibly productive player who would certainly generate a considerable amount of interest from other teams.

Even with Fletcher in the fold, the Redskins need to address the inside linebacker spot given Fletcher's age and the lack of depth behind him and Perry Riley.

But, should the Redskins allow Fletcher to depart, their loss will become another team's gain.

And it will be a huge gain.