The past two weeks for the Washington Redskins has been a whirlwind of changes to the franchise.
The first change that was a precursor of things to come, however, was the in-season firing of coach Jay Gruden. Following the Redskins loss to the New England Patriots, Gruden was relieved of his post in his sixth season as coach.
Gruden’s ouster had many on the outside wondering if the move was strictly made by team President Bruce Allen or owner Dan Snyder?
As of today, it appears the move was made by the latter and that was just the tip of the iceberg.
Allen was relieved of his duties almost two weeks ago and that decision to do so by Snyder was seen universally as a necessary one. Allen had infamously gaffed at the podium in front of team media on separate occasions when he had the opportunity to bring a calm over Redskins Nation. His failure to connect with the proud fanbase since his arrival was a horrible look for the franchise.
After Allen was removed Snyder turned his focus to securing a deal with a veteran NFL coach and an overall respected football man in Ron Rivera.
Rivera was offered the job to bring the Redskins once ironclad organization back to respectability and he accepted. During Rivera’s introductory press conference when the former Carolina Panthers coach and Chicago Bears player spoke it was obvious that he can command a room. His delivery and message was clear and also candid.
“…I took this job for one simple reason, one simple reason, because [Owner] Dan Snyder came to me with a very interesting perspective,” Rivera said. “For weeks he’s explored the reasons why some teams win and some teams don’t. He told me the common factor in that transitional success of teams like the Patriots, the Seahawks, and the Chiefs and some of the other ones was the decision to take it and make it a coach-centered approach. Not an owner-centered approach, or a team president or a general manager but a coach-centered approach. I told Mr. Snyder that I appreciated the fact that he believed the head coach matters. I told him I would be honored but under one condition, it had to be a player-centered culture, a player-centered culture, something I truly do believe in. My responsibility is to get the most out of the players. To work with them, teach them, mentor them. If I have to do it one by one, I most certainly will do it…”
Over the past week, there have been major changes to the teams’ coaching staff, front office, and the revamping of the medical staff and trainers. Washington has truly partaken an organizational cleansing that was needed.
Perhaps the discontent amongst fans who have suffered for nearly two decades of futileness had weighed too much on Snyder to finally make wholesale changes?
Overall, I thought today was a good day for Snyder and the #Redskins to enter into a new era. I mean Bruce Allen and head trainer Larry Hess were fixtures that some thought were untouchable despite the negativity that surrounded them. These are huge moves being made!
— Lake Lewis Jr (@LakeLewis) December 30, 2019
Regardless, there are still some fans who are not sure of the direction of the new management structure that is still a work in progress. It needs to be mentioned, however, that these types of changes are a process that is familiar with any new coaching change, especially to a historical sports franchise.
I’m shocked some of you are not happy with what’s going on with the #Redskins! Most are, but the ones who aren’t what more could you have asked for? New coach who’s proven, new d-coordinator, new FO structure, and new trainers. This was a positive clean sweep in my opinion.
— Lake Lewis Jr (@LakeLewis) December 31, 2019
The Redskins have some young pieces in place that with the right coaching and structure could hit the ground running next season.
Washington also possesses the No.2 overall pick in the NFL Draft and have an opportunity to select an impact player who could come in and make an instant impact.
Redskins fans should be excited about next season. If anything, the stench that was in the air and dark cloud over Redskins Park has led way to ‘real’ hope for a better brand on Sunday’s. That alone should be a reason for optimism compared to what was routinely an underachieving team.
The next few weeks leading up to the NFL Combine and draft will help the reshaping of the Redskins. The last week has proven things are already moving rapidly in a positive direction.