Retired Speedster Harvin Looking for Third Chance

There has been a common theme among Redskins fans whenever a free agent hits the market. “Sign him yesterday!”

While the Redskins do have holes to fill on the roster, head coach Ron Rivera has already laid out the map of what he is looking for in players this year. While Harvin would fit part of Rivera’s criteria, a player on a one year “show me deal,” there is more that needs to be looked at.

Breaking: Former 1st-rounder, FA WR Percy Harvin tells me: “I’m ready to return to the NFL. I thought I was done, but that itch came back. I’ve been training w/a former Olympian. My body is feeling good. Mentally I’m better. My family is good. The timing is right.” He's 185lbs. pic.twitter.com/NQaadbF73B

— IG: JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) April 22, 2020

Playing time

Harvin was a Rookie of the Year in 2009 while his best statistical year being in 2011 with the Minnesota Vikings where tallied 967 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns on 87 receptions.

Harvin was traded to the Seahawks in the 2013 offseason where he had a tumultuous tenure. He not only dealt with a torn labrum and really did not see the field until the NFC Championship game. Beyond the injuries, Harvin allegedly created problems in the locker room and quit on his team by sitting himself out and not returning to action.

Harvin continued to bounce around as he was traded to the New York Jets in the middle of the 2014 season where he played in 8 games and tallied 350 yards and 1 touchdown on 29 catches. He then signed with the Buffalo Bills in 2015 where a proceeded to play in 5 games before going on injured reserve and retiring for the first time in the offseason. Harvin unretired during the 2016 season to play in 2 games for the Bills and then proceeded to retire again.

Today and The Redskins

Percy Harvin has now been fully out of the NFL for 3 full seasons and is 31 years old. As Josina Anderson states in her tweet (above) he is at 185 and looks to be in good physical condition. Teams would need to get him into their camp to test his 40 time and if his route running abilities are still there. IF the Redskins were to sign him, it would have to be a 1 year incentive laden deal.

There is also the question of whether or not he has learned from his past tantrums on the sideline in Seattle. Rivera does not seem like he wants that anywhere near the Redskins locker room. That is not the type of attitude and culture he wants to bring in. This isn’t the Brucifer regime anymore. We’ll see what happens, but the track record indicates that Harvin would not be the type of player that fits into the new, budding Redskins culture.