ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 26: Will Montgomery #63 of the Washington Redskins at Cowboys Stadium on September 26, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Will Montgomery and the Washington Redskins have agreed to terms on a new four-year contract, sources say. Montomgery, 29, was scheduled to become a free agent next month, but Washington wasn’t prepared to allow the 2006 seventh-round pick to test the open market.

Montgomery started all 16 of the Redskins’ games last season, 15 at center and one at left guard after Kory Lichtensteiger suffered a season-ending knee injury.

A seven-year veteran who spent time with the Panthers and Jets before coming to Washington mid-way through the 2008 season, Montgomery will serve as the Redskins’ starting center again in 2012. The 6-foot-3, 310-pound interior lineman is a Virginia native. He attended Centerville High School before playing collegiately at Virginia Tech.

Montgomery has played in 45 games, making 25 starts, over the last three seasons.

With Montgomery having agreed to a four-year pact, the Redskins can now turn their attention to Lichtensteiger, who’s contract also expires when free agency begins in March. Lichtensteiger, still rehabbing from an October injury, is expected to be healthy enough to return to action for the start of training camp.

In a recent guest appearance on 106.7 The Fan, Lichtensteiger said that he is hoping to sign a one-year tender that will keep him in Washington.

The Redskins’ offensive line allowed five fewer sacks in 2011 than it did in 2010, a marked improvement considering that starters Trent Williams, Jammal Brown and Licthtensteiger missed a combined 21 games. But Montgomery’s steady presence was among the unti’s strengths.

Retaining Montgomery allows the Redskins to start working on re-signing other soon-to-be free agents, while also allowing the club to begin focusing on preparing to upgrade their quarterback, wide receiver and secondary positions.