The Washington Redskins have fired General Manager Scot McCoulghan after two seasons with the team. First reported by the Washington Post.
The ultimate decision to let McCoulghan go was due to a relapse with alcohol according to a source with direct knowledge to the situation.
“He’s had multiple relapses due to alcohol,” an official told the Post. “He showed up in the locker room drunk on multiple occasions. . . . This has been a disaster for 18 months.”
This anonymous source mentioned that McCloughan also lost his two previous NFL jobs due to alcohol abuse. Hopefully, now, McCloughan will release the severity of his addiction and may even reach out to rehab facilities like The Ohana in Hawaii and seek treatment.
Mike James from the Washington post, mentions that he was told late in the season of jealousy at the higher levels of the team and that they would eventually use McCloughan drinking as an excuse to fire him.
A statement by Redskins President Bruce Allen
A statement from Redskins President Bruce Allen. pic.twitter.com/7GAEXOGIvQ
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) March 10, 2017
The next GM?
The timing of this firing is at the worse time. It gives the Redskins limited options for directing their roster-building strategy. Given the situation they’re in, the Redskins will have to promote in-house. Letting go of your GM a month away until the draft and while trying to sign new talent is a very tall order. It’s expected that Allen will oversee everything for the interim.
McCloughans’ Exit
McCloughan, 45, began his executive career with the Packers as a regional scout back in in 1994. He later took over as the Seahawks director of college scouting in 2000 before being hired as the 49ers VP of player personnel in 2005.
San Francisco promoted McCloughan to GM in 2008, but he lasted just two years in the position before the two parties mutually agreed to part ways. It was later revealed that McCloughan had been dealing with personal issues with alcoholism.
McCloughan returned to Seattle and spent three years with the Seahawks before the Redskins hired him as GM in 2015.
During his time with the Redskins, McCloughan’s team produced a record of 17-14-1, which includes one playoff appearance.
What’s next?
Washington will need to tackle tasks as a coheisve unit. They need new talent after letting some of their free agents walk. DeSean Jackson and Chris Baker left for Tamba Bay. San Fransico scooped up Pierre Garcon and came up short in their efforts to sign Calasis Campbell. Signing Safety D.J. Swearinger will help bring impact in the secondary and resigning Vernon Davis was a good call. Only time will time how the Redskins offseason will form.