Could Gruden be one and done in Washington?
Posted by Mike Florio on November 20, 2014, 8:39 AM EST
The ongoing dysfunction in D.C. (dysfunction completely unrelated to the government, surprisingly) seems to be getting worse, not better. From Robert Griffin III’s way-too-smiley Bill Belichick homage to coach Jay Gruden acknowledging he went too far by calling out his quarterback for calling out teammates and for playing poorly, the stuff playing out in the public eye suggests that plenty of fireworks are flying behind the scenes.
The biggest question percolating behind the scenes relates to the future status of Griffin, and Gruden.
As to Griffin, it’s becoming more clear that the franchise will be inclined not to pick up the fifth-year option on its erstwhile franchise quarterback. Based on current cap numbers, the team would be committing $18.4 million to Griffin for 2016. Currently, he’s not anywhere close to being an $18.4 million quarterback.
But with Washington already on the hook for $3.2 million in fully guaranteed base salary for 2015 under the final year of his rookie contract, it won’t be a surprise if Griffin remains on the roster — just as Jake Locker did in Tennessee and Christian Ponder did in Minnesota after their respective fifth-year options weren’t exercised earlier this year. A trade is possible, but a release makes a lot less sense, given that Griffin will be paid next year whether he’s on the team or not.
As to the coach, a one-and-done arrangement would seem stunning on the surface. But it would be the fourth straight year and the fifth time in six seasons that an NFL coach loses his job after one year.
In 2013, the Browns gave Rob Chudzinski the heave-ho after one year. In 2012, the Jaguars fired Mike Mularkey after one season. In 2011, the Raiders ran off Hue Jackson following one season as the non-interim coach. The Seahawks fired Jim Mora after the 2009 season, his only year as head coach.
It also happened to former Dolphins coach Cam Cameron in 2007.
Other one-and-out coaches since 1980 include Art Shell (Raiders, 2006), Al Groh (Jets, 2000), Ray Rhodes (Green Bay, 1999), Joe Bugel (Raiders, 1997), Pete Carroll (Jets, 1994), Richie Petitbon (Washington, 1993), Rod Rust (Patriots, 1990), and Les Steckel (Vikings, 1984).
And it has happened in Washington under owner Daniel Snyder. In 2001, Snyder gave the keys to Marty Schottenheimer. After only one season, Snyder kicked Schottenheimer out of the front seat. And out of the car.
With the franchise no better, and arguably even worse, than it was in 2013 under Mike Shanahan and in light of the glaring disconnect between Griffin and Gruden, Snyder could decide to extend the streak of NFL coaches fired after one year to four years.