Chris Chester was durable, productive and steady for the Washington Redskins.
But that didn’t stop them from releasing him in May after he started every game over the past four seasons.
Now, he’s set to face his old team when the Falcons (4-0) host the Redskins (2-2) at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Georgia Dome.
It was the classic NFL salary dump that saved the Redskins $4 million against the salary cap. He no longer was considered a fit for their power blocking scheme, while the Falcons needed the 303-pound zone-scheme blocker.
In the proverbial case of one team’s trash being another team’s treasure, the Falcons signed Chester immediately and let him compete for one of their starting guard spots.
There appears to be no lingering hard feelings from Chester, who’s helped established the Falcons’ offensive line from the right guard position.
“It’s a little weird because I have some really close friends and coaches, a lot of good people that I spent a lot of time with (on the Redskins),” Chester said. “But at this point, I have to focus on what we are doing here in Atlanta.”
Washington said it was a difficult decision to part with Chester. But the lure of going with younger and less expensive talent was too great.
“It was very tough,” Washington coach Jay Gruden said. “I’m a big fan of Chris. He’s a heck of a player. He did a lot of great things for this organization.”
Washington had guards Spencer Long, Arie Kouandijo and Shawn Lauvau. They drafted former Iowa tackle Brandon Scherff in the first round and moved him to guard.
“I think Chris is a heck of player, but we felt the need to move on,” Gruden said. “He’s obviously flourishing over in Atlanta. We knew that he would. I knew he was going to start somewhere else.”
Chester competed with Jon Asamoah for the starting right guard spot. He pulled ahead early in training camp and held on.
Chester is the steadying force along the line. He played under offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan in Washington from 2011-13 and knows the intricacies of the zone-blocking system.
“I’m familiar with system, but those guys put in the work,” Chester said. “I know they worked pretty hard.”
The Falcons picked up Andy Levitre in a trade the week before the season started and declared Mike Person the winner of the center battle. The five offensive linemen who opened the season against the Eagles had never played together in an NFL game.
“I think that we are moving in the right direction here and building upon all of our successes so far,” Chester said. “We’ll try and keep growing.”
Person had never started an NFL game until this season. Chester, Person and Levitre had fortified the middle of the Falcons’ offensive line. With the firm pocket, Matt Ryan can step into his passes again.
“It was pretty cool,” Person said. “Andy got here, and it’s like he’s been here since Day 1. It’s a great group of guys in general. We all get along with each other. We just found that little common bond. We just have to take it and run with it even more.”
Chester has clearly put his Washington stay in his rearview mirror.
“I’m just happy to be here,” Chester said. “I was real excited to be here when I got here initially. I’ll just try to keep moving forward.”
Chester, 32, knows that Falcons will have a battle against a stout Washington defensive front.
“They always seem physical to me,” Chester said. “J.J. (Watt) was was pretty physical last week. We have to try to keep playing each time and in each game. Whatever happens that day, you can’t get too emotional.”
The Falcons picked up a keeper in Chester.
