A popular name in the Redskins defensive coordinator search has surfaced in an official report.
Greg Manusky has not officially been relieved of his services as the Washington Redskins defensive coordinator yet, but the writing is on the wall. With little personnel turnover down the stretch in 2018, his unit still crumbled in the second half of the season, and much of their failings could be attributed to Manusky’s mismanagement.
Manusky’s future has been unclear since the start of the offseason; some felt that he would be quickly moved on from, but the retainment of embattled head coach Jay Gruden was a sign to some that Manusky would be kept as well. Today, however, new developments have changed things.
Earlier, it was reported that a coach was garnering interest for Torrian Gray’s position. Now, we have a report from NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo that the Washington Redskins have indeed contacted former New York Jets head coach, and defensive coordinator candidate Todd Bowles.
Former #Jets coach Todd Bowles met with the #Redskins earlier this week, sources say. No specific role was discussed, I’m told. It was more about touching base and seeing where things stood for both sides. As @RapSheet has noted, Bowles is in play in Tampa for Arians’ DC.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 8, 2019
Per the report, the Redskins and Bowles did not discuss a specific role within the team’s staff, but the fact that the two sides were willing to meet shows that a degree of mutual interest is present. Bowles, during his NFL playing career, was on the same team as Redskins legend and current Director of Player Personnel Doug Williams, so there is some familiarity there.
It’s worth noting that the Redskins defensive coordinator job isn’t the only one for which Bowles has been considered a serious candidate. Per Mike Garafolo, Bowles has also been named as a primary choice for Bruce Arians, who has long been rumored to have the Tampa Bay Buccaneers open head coaching position under wraps.
Still, as long as Arians isn’t contractually hired yet, and as long as the Redskins make an opening, Bowles to D.C. is a legitimate possibility. Bowles is a qualified candidate. During his last stint as a defensive coordinator, in Arizona, he fielded the NFL’s sixth best defense in 2013, and in 2014, his Cardinals defense allowed the fifth-fewest points per game.
Bowles would have a good amount of talent to work with in both Washington and Tampa Bay. In the end, it might just come down to connections. And if nothing else, the Redskins have a key connection to Bowles that might be enough.