The Washington Redskins have long been criticized for failing to appoint football people to make football decisions. As a result, the team has sacrificed a bounty of draft picks, made laughable free agent signings and drafted poorly since owner Dan Snyder purchased the team in 1999. Also, the Redskins have finished last in the NFC East in six of the last seven seasons.
However, time's may be changing in D.C. Several members of NFL.com are reporting that the Redskins are hiring former San Francisco 49ers GM and Seattle Seahawks personnel executive Scot McCloughan to be the team's new general manager. Current general manager Bruce Allen is expected to be given the title of President.
BREAKING! Scott McCloughan will be Redskins new GM. Just spoke with him! Good for you Scottie! Press conference coming end of week.
— Michael Robinson (@RealMikeRob) January 6, 2015
It will be a 4-year deal for Scot McCloughan and the #Redskins, I’m told. Goes without saying, it’s a huge hire from a personnel standpoint. — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 6, 2015
I mentioned McCloughan as a possible front office addition last month and now it appears to be becoming a reality. Although Pro Football Talk reports that a deal "isn't done yet," it only seems to be a matter of time now.
McCloughan is known to be one of the best talent evaluators in the NFL. However, a drinking problem had him out of the league for the last few years. McCloughan claims that his issues are behind him and is ready for a return to the pros. If a deal is completed, this would be a monumental win for the Redskins, who have not had a true blue GM with a proven football background in the Snyder era.
McCloughan was in town when the 49ers drafted franchise mainstays Frank Gore, Patrick Willis and Vernon Davis. He was around Seattle when the team selected cornerback Richard Sherman. McCloughan even wrote in his pre-draft scouting report that Russell Wilson could be the exception to the rule when it comes to shorter quarterbacks.
Redskins fans should be excited that the team finally has a real personnel wiz in a position of power to help build this team back up.
