Middle linebacker Kurt Gouveia, who made $1.45 million last season and was due to make $1.02 million this year, agreed to a new deal for an estimated $500,000 yesterday after the Washington Redskins put him on waivers and no other team claimed him.

The Redskins, who had only $583,000 left under the NFL's $34.6 million salary cap before they cut Gouveia's salary, need to come up with $2.8 million to sign their top draft pick, quarterback Heath Shuler, and the rest of their rookies.