There was some chatter Saturday suggesting that Redskins head coach Jay Gruden could be coaching for his job against the Giants this afternoon, but Dianna Russini of ESPN.com reports that no Washington coaches were informed by team execs or ownership that they will be fired if they lose against New York today (Twitter link). That may or may not mean anything, but since Gruden’s seat gets hotter by the day, these types of reports are worth monitoring.
However, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports confirms that the relationship between the coaching staff and the front office, headed by team president Bruce Allen, has become untenable. And differences in opinion over roster construction are just the beginning. Per La Canfora, the organization wants Gruden to part ways with defensive coordinator Greg Manusky, but Gruden refuses to consider any changes to his staff.
But it seems inevitable that Gruden, at least, will be looking for a new job in 2020. Manusky will likely be gone too, but La Canfora says team brass is high on first-year OC Kevin O’Connell, so he may stick around. If Gruden were to fired be mid-season, offensive line coach Bill Callahan may serve as the team’s interim HC. Gruden, meanwhile, may join his brother Jon’s staff with the Raiders.
As we have been hearing, another source of contention between the Redskins’ coaching staff and front office/ownership is rookie QB Dwayne Haskins. La Canfora writes in a separate piece that many members of the coaching staff — including Gruden — and people close to Haskins believe that it would be best for the Ohio State product to redshirt his entire rookie year, especially given the state of Washington’s O-line and the club’s general dearth of offensive talent. But owner Dan Snyder may be inclined to throw Haskins into the fire sooner rather than later, while Gruden views playing Haskins as a last resort. Although Gruden’s fate with the Redskins is likely sealed, the disagreement between him and Snyder over Haskins may hasten his departure.
As for today, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that Case Keenum will get the start, and Haskins will be his backup. Colt McCoy, who recently returned to practice, will be inactive, though the Redskins did consider dressing all three signal-callers. Despite Gruden’s reservations about playing Haskins, Rapoport hears that if Keenum should struggle against the Giants’ defense, Gruden may feel compelled to send in his rookie signal-caller (video link).
Jay will be an assistant in Oakland by week 7
Started out a Jay fan, but boy has he screwed it up the last few years… Haskins should get a start at the end of the year… not now, do not throw him to the wolves… our skilled player positions have and look poor to bad overall…bad drafting year after year
Both sides seem to have a point here. The Redskins defense is awful, and Manusky really should be fired. So point for the organization. On the other hand, the Redskins O-line is atrocious right not, so Gruden is right, why risk Haskins?
In the end though Danny Snyder’s going to get his way one way or another, though. If I were Gruden I’d stick to my guns, though. He’s got to pay the coach either way.
Because it’s common to tell a coach before a game if you don’t win today you’re fired. That doesn’t happen.
Gruden is a good, not great coach. That said he’s done best with talent given. I’m sure if he didn’t already feel fired he’d make the DC move. But why hurt a professional relationship when you already know your fate. Stay loyal and keep that bridge
If I was Gruden I would take some time off – on the Redskins’ dime (as he has a contract through the end of 2020). Nothing like collecting a $4 million check while waiting for your next job offer to arrive.
I doubt anybody of substance will want to coach the skins. My guess is they grossly overpay for a has been or they end up getting the assistant water boy from the rams a la Cincy and GB
As long as the skins are the owners play toy, this team will be disfuntual
Snyder has to stay out of skins football affairs . we saw what happened with RF3 big miss and it was forced on my the owner and then the owner backed the qb and not the hc and forced the coaches to play him the way the qb wanted . just a mess and the staff didn’t want RG3 then just the owner and maybe GM. seems like they going.down same path