Washington Redskins: Why Jay Gruden deserves more respect

Conclusion

Jay Gruden has yet to prove he can win in the playoffs. He has yet to prove that he can win consistently with a stable roster. He has yet to prove anything, because he hasn’t been given the proper opportunity. Gruden knows he needs to produce this year. Everyone knows it. But the premonition that the Washington Redskins need to fire him, or would be better off letting him go and starting over, is unequivocally absurd.

Gruden, for the time being, is on the hot seat in 2018. No one has come out to say he is. And even he seems confident that his job is safe. But the history of Dan Snyder is a long one, and it too often spells the doom of coaches who simply didn’t have a chance to succeed. His impatience trumps basic judgement. Jay Gruden finally has his chance, after years of misfortune. But could it be just a season too late?

So much has been working against Gruden in his tenure with the Washington Redskins. Behind his 7-9 record in 2017, a record that suggests regression, there lies the truth: The Washington Redskins roster was demolished by injuries. Jay Gruden’s quarterback possessed fundamental limitations that hindered him from taking Gruden’s scheme to its full potential. And even with a healthy roster, Gruden’s weapons were a vast downgrade from what he had the year before.

And he still almost led the Washington Redskins to a winning season.

Regardless of how secure his job may be, Jay Gruden is a potential solution. He is not a problem. Yes, he has his inconsistencies, like all coaches do. Both good and bad. But he has all the traits necessary to lead this team, and lead it well. He’s an adept offensive mind, who has shown that he has good judgement when it comes to bringing along new members to his staff. He’s a level-headed, relaxed coach who still knows when to kick it up a notch, and through his demeanor, he naturally attracts respect from his players. His record may be 28-35-1. But there are so many more factors that go into those numbers. It’s the context that matters.

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Do not long for change for the sake of change and nothing else. The Washington Redskins are trending upward, and its in no small thanks to Gruden. Gruden has kept the team afloat amidst a bevy of unfortunate circumstances, and if he can earn a clean bill of health, he can take the Washington Redskins far in 2018. Observe his records alone, and you may be skeptical. But delve into the context, and there’s no reason to think otherwise.