Redskins Hate Jay Gruden So Much They’re Paying Him $8 Million to Go Away
The Washington Redskins finally fired Jay Gruden, proving that they hate him enough to pay him more than $8 million to go away. | Source: Scott Taetsch / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP
When Jay Gruden arrived at the Washington Redskins’ team facility at 5 am this morning, he may have been surprised to find out that his keycard still worked.
However, that revelation proved to be a momentary reprieve, as owner Daniel Snyder and team president Bruce Allen relieved him of his keycard – and job – just minutes later.
Redskins Fire Jay Gruden in Pettiest Dismissal Yet
With the Redskins languishing at 0-5 and already on their third starting quarterback, the only thing remotely surprising about Gruden’s firing is the pettiness involved in summoning the coach into the office two hours and ten minutes before the crack of dawn.
Then again, perhaps that shouldn’t be surprising. It is the Redskins, after all.
Since purchasing the Redskins in 1999, Dan Snyder has transformed the once-proud team into the epitome of NFL dysfunction, dumping head coaches nearly as frequently as you swap out backups on your fantasy football squad.
The Washington Redskins coaching carousel has featured eight victims since 2000, chewing up and spitting out even legendary figures like Steve Spurrier, Joe Gibbs, and Mike Shanahan.
That list will add its ninth name when interim head coach Bill Callahan takes the field against the 0-4 Dolphins on Oct. 13. It will likely swell to ten ahead of the 2021 season.
How Much the Redskins Must Pay Their Ex-Coach
Recognizing Snyder’s track record, Gruden wisely hoodwinked Snyder into giving him a five-year, fully guaranteed contract when he signed on to coach the Redskins in 2014.
Not sensing a pattern in his attitude toward coaches, Snyder foolishly gave Gruden a two-year, fully guaranteed contract extension, only to fire him five games into that extension.
As a result, Snyder must pay Gruden the estimated $8.4 million that remains on his contract (~$3.4 million for the remaining 11 games of 2019 and $5 million for 2020).
That’s right, Gruden can spend the next 1 ⅔ seasons hitting on young women and smoking unidentified substances , and he’ll still get paid more than most of us will earn in a lifetime.
And by the time the Redskins finish paying off his fully guaranteed contract, they’ll probably already be on coach number 11.
