This morning, the Redskins did what everyone expected and fired head coach Jay Gruden. The move follows a 33-7 loss to the Patriots, dropping Washington to 0-5 on the season. Besides his disappointing record, there also seemed to be a disconnect between the front office and the sixth-year coach; Gruden reportedly wasn’t a fan of the team’s decision to select quarterback Dwayne Haskins with the No. 15 overall pick.
Needless to say, it’s been a busy day in Washington, and there have a been a number of additional Redskins notes since this afternoon:
- Nobody likes to lose their job, but it sounds like Gruden isn’t beating himself up over the firing. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets that the now-former head coach was expecting the move and is doing fine. Rapoport also notes that the firing allows the organization to be completely transparent about their head coaching search (as opposed to be covert if Gruden was still on the sideline).
- During his presser earlier today, team president Bruce Allen deferred to interim head coach Bill Callahan when asked if Haskins would now start under center. The coach later told reporters that the first-rounder is not a candidate to start right now (via NFL Network’s Mike Garafalo on Twitter). The coach did say that they’re currently evaluating the health of Case Keenum and Colt McCoy, but it sounds like one of the veterans will start against the Dolphins on Sunday.
- Allen was also asked about the status of offensive lineman Trent Williams, who continues to sit out. The executive told reporters that “there’s been no dialogue with any other team” regarding a trade, and Allen also said the team isn’t actively shopping the veteran. Today’s head coaching move also didn’t move the needle when it comes to a potential return for Williams; a source told ESPN’s Dianna Russini (Twitter link) that the 31-year-old “doesn’t have any plans of returning to the Redskins anytime soon.”
- We hate to rub dirt in the wound, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter points out (on Twitter) that the Redskins’ coaching staff once consisted of Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVay, and Matt LaFleuer. The three current head coaches (with the 49ers, Rams, and Packers, respectively) currently have a combined 2019 record of 10-3.
Trent Williams for Melvin Gordon and a mid round pick. Who says no?
Anyone with a brain says no. You don’t trade a starting LT for a RB. Ever.
Washington says “no”, and emphatically. Trent Williams is a franchise tackle; which aside from QB, might be one of the most highly valued positions on the field. Gordon is a good RB, who’ll likely look a lot closer to average behind a suspect line now missing a franchise tackle. If you make it Williams for Gordon and a 1st rounder, you’ve maybe got a start to the framework for a deal. I think Washington still does better though if they shop him. Plus with Guice and Thompson, RB isn’t really their most pressing need.
No
Straight up. No picks.
That doesn’t help Washington
Either does an unhappy player not playing.
Williams really has no leverage here though, happy or not. The Redskins don’t have to deal him. He can either sit and lose money, or report. Those are his options.
Williams has made $118 million in his career. He never has to play another down again if he wishes. And if he’s okay with retiring, I’d say that’s plenty of leverage.
Washington can have Mike Tomlin. Steelers might give THEM a draft pick to take him.
Gruden must be relieved to not have to stand in front of a microphone and explain how this sorry bunch of sad sacks put together by Bruce Allen couldn’t win a participation trophy.
The last bullet point item is rather irrelevant. The Browns once had Bill Belichick as head coach…so what?