There was chatter Saturday suggesting that Redskins head coach Jay Gruden could be coaching for his job against the Giants today, but Dianna Russini of ESPN.com reports that no Washington coaches were informed by team execs that they will be fired if they lose against New York (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.
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. Differences in opinion over roster construction are just the beginning, La Canfora reports. The organization wants Gruden to part ways with defensive coordinator Greg Manusky, but Gruden refuses to consider any changes to his staff, according to La Canfora.
It seems inevitable that Gruden will be looking for a new job in 2020. Manusky will likely be gone, too. La Canfora does say team brass is high on first-year offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell, so he may stick around. If Gruden were to fired be midseason, offensive line coach Bill Callahan may serve as the team’s interim head coach. Gruden, meanwhile, could join his brother Jon’s staff in Oakland.
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 Redskins’ coaching staff — including Gruden — and people close to Haskins believe it would be best for the Ohio State product to sit out his entire rookie year, especially given the state of Washington’s offensive line and lack 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 could hasten his departure.
As for today, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that QB Case Keenum, who is dealing with a foot injury, 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.
