The Washington Redskins will not make the playoffs nor will they finish with a winning record this season. That is certainly not the outcome the team had envisioned when they hired Jay Gruden as head coach while getting a healthy Robert Griffin III back under center. However, nothing went according to plan and now Washington has some decisions to make about how stays and who goes during what will be a busy offseason.
According to Dianna Marie Russini of NBC Washington, Gruden has been informed that he will be returning next season. Washington hired the coach away from the Cincinnati Bengals in hopes that he was ready to be in charge. Washington's record certainly does not reflect well on Gruden, but the head coach can certainly not be blamed for all of the downfalls this year. As a result, owner Dan Snyder has opted to give Gruden another go.
With Gruden sent to return, does that mean Griffin is a goner? According to the Washington Post, Gruden does not like Griffin as his quarterback. The type of offense the head coach would prefer to run does not suit a read-option quarterback and that has been on display with the Redskins' 3-11 record this year. If Snyder is opting to keep Gruden around, does that mean he is ready to part ways with Griffin?
According to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport, Griffin's time in Washington is done. That Redskins will have to hope to acquire at least a mid-round draft pick as the market for the quarterback is simply not as strong as the team would hope it is. Injuries and poor play have lessened the value of Griffin drastically. Of course there will be teams that glance his way considering how many are looking for a chance. The Oakland Raiders, Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills and St. Louis Rams all need quarterback help.
So what happens to Colt McCoy who will not be starting in Week 16 thanks to a reoccurring neck injury? McCoy has seen some success this season in Gruden's system and could actually get re-signed for cheap if Washington acquires another rookie quarterback to develop. Kirk Cousins has to hope for improvement in the offseason if he is going to stay on the roster.
Gruden's return does not help Griffin's status. There are a lot of solid quarterback options that will be available for cheap in free agency that Washington could look at as they try and shop the former first-round draft pick. The Redskins sold the farm to acquire Griffin, but if he is not winning games they will be forced into another direction.
