The Washington Redskins are set to close their 2018 season Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles. The past month or so has been filled with drama that has included top safety DJ Swearinger publicly questioning the coaching staff and then being released. However, despite the struggles head coach Jay Gruden is likely to return next season, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
The Redskins started the season with a 6-3 record and were in first place in the NFC East before starting quarterback Alex Smith suffered a compound fracture, breaking his fibula and tibia in the process. Washington went on to lose five of their next six games, as backup quarterback Colt McCoy suffered a fractured fibula, and Mark Sanchez was an utter disaster before Gruden turned to Josh Johnson, a player the team signed on Dec. 5.
Even beforehand Washington was plagued with injuries, losing both Week 1 starting guards, Shawn Lauvao and Brandon Scherff to season-ending injuries in a Week 9 game against the Atlanta Falcons. The also lost their No 1 wide receiver, Paul Richardson, to a season-ending shoulder injury.
The injuries continued to pile up and ultimately the Redskins will finish the season with 24 players on injured reserve. It’s hard to fault a coach on his fourth quarterback and multiple set of offensive guards among other injuries. In fact the Redskins lost man games at every offensive position this season.
However, Gruden’s impending return won’t come without some change. His assistants, who reportedly were fearful of losing their jobs a couple of week ago, may indeed be part of a reshuffle. That includes embattled defensive coordinator Greg Manusky.
Swearinger ripped Manusky’s play-calling after the Redskins’ 25-16 loss to the Tennessee Titans last week that led to the team being eliminated from playoff contention. Swearinger was released two days later after repeated offenses of criticizing the coaching staff after losses. However, Manusky may also be out, according to Rapoport which makes things more interesting.
As the Redskins’ season sank, negative publicly stole the headlines that included safety Montae Nicholson being placed on reserved/non-football injury list after he was arrested and charged with assault and battery. Four business executives were ousted this week in what appears to be a power struggle that involved the unpopular team president Bruce Allen. Along with Gruden, Allen is expected to remain with the franchise.
Since becoming the Redskins’ head coach, Gruden has compiled a 35-43-1 record with one playoff appearance in 2015 after winning the NFC East division.
