Washington coach Jay Gruden told reporters that he hasn’t been assured that his job is safe by owner Dan Snyder or GM Bruce Allen, but sources say “he’s been told he’ll return next season,” according to Dianna Marie Russini of NBC 4 in D.C (via Twitter).
It has been a trying season for Gruden and his squad, to say the least. Despite some offseason optimism, Washington is in the NFC East cellar at 3-11 with a completely uncertain situation at quarterback. Robert Griffin III is back in as the starter – for now – but the team is likely having buyer’s remorse over the haul they gave up for him in the 2012 draft and Gruden himself doesn’t seem like a huge fan, despite some recent comments to the contrary. Some have called for Washington to dump RGIII this offseason (and that talk will probably continue), but it appears that Gruden will return in 2015, his second season in the nation’s capital.
Even if Washington were to consider a coaching change, it would ultimately reflect poorly on Snyder and Allen if they were to dismiss Gruden after just one season. With the younger Gruden apparently staying in D.C. and Jon Gruden inked through 2021 with ESPN, it appears that neither brother will be interviewing this offseason.
I’m very interested to see how the RG3 situation plays out now that Gruden is seemingly set to come back. Not surprising since it’s easier to part ways with RG3’s contract (which will become loaded in the near future) and Daniel Snyder will likely not want to pay Gruden for the four years that he wouldn’t be coaching there.
With the Redskins currently slotted 5th in the draft, they likely won’t have to face the possibility of drafting Marcus Mariota, but it’ll be interesting to see if they sniff around Jameis Winston should RG3 be on the outs.