GREEN BAY, Wis., March 11 (UPI) -- The Green Bay Packers declined Tuesday to match the Washington Redskins' offer sheet to safety Matt Bowen.
A backup free safety who started six games for Green Bay last season, Bowen had been tendered at a compensation level equal to a sixth-round pick. The Packers had seven days to match the offer or accept the compensation and allow Bowen to move to Washington.
Bowen, 26, served as the backup to Darren Sharper, was a regular in the dime package and played a key role on special teams for Green Bay. In Washington, Bowen will likely become an immediate starter at free safety, replacing free agent David Terrell.
A sixth-round pick of the St. Louis Rams in 2000, Bowen started two games as a rookie. However, he suffered a broken foot in the 2001 season opener and was placed on injured reserve. After being waived off injured reserve in November, Bowen joined the Packers in Week 12, and played in the club's last five games.
The Redskins have already made a major splash in the free agent pool, signing guards Randy Thomas, Dave Fiore and Lennie Friedman, defensive end Regan Upshaw, defensive tackle Brandon Noble and kicker John Hall and acquiring running back Trung Canidate from St. Louis.
Washington has also tendered offer sheets to receiver Laveranues Coles and kick returner Chad Morton of the New York Jets.
