The Redskins reportedly discussed a defensive coordinator job with Steve Wilks before he took the Browns’ DC job. This is the third (or fourth) different candidate the Redskins have spoken to.
The Washington Redskins appear to be in the market for a new defensive coordinator despite still having Greg Manusky on their coaching staff. In recent weeks, they have spoken to Todd Bowles and now, they appear to be getting in on Gregg Williams before he signs a contract with the Jets. Additionally, Denver’s former DC Joe Woods interviewed with the team, though the role he was seeking is unclear.
Regardless of how you frame this, it appears that the ‘Skins are looking to move on from Manusky. And on Monday, it was reported that they reached out to another defensive coordinator candidate.
Per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the Redskins reached out to Steve Wilks about their defensive coordinator job. Wilks, the former Cardinals head coach, was a hot name on the market and was scooped up by the Cleveland Browns to run their defense.
The #Redskins had conversations with Steve Wilks before he took the #Browns’ defensive coordinator job, sources say. Doesn’t sound like they were deep discussions but another indication Washington has been nosing around DC candidates.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 14, 2019
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As Garafolo noted, they weren’t deep conversations, but the fact that the team is searching for an upgrade at coordinator is a sign that they might want to move on from Manusky. However, the fact that they haven’t made any concrete moves is certainly strange and will be a concern for any future coaches they bring in.
The situation that the Redskins have created by keeping Manusky is awkward, to say the least. As opposed to parting with Manusky and letting him seek other jobs, the team has held him hostage while they vet other potential options for the position. While it may protect them from having to land a downgrade at the coordinator spot, it creates other major issues, and it perpetuates the rumors swirling around about the team’s circus of a front office.
And while the team may want to keep Manusky if they don’t find a perceived upgrade, they should just come out and say as much as opposed to searching around for other options and seemingly leaving Manusky in the dark. Or, they should just take a chance and part with Manusky in hopes of landing someone that they think is an upgrade. That may be in the best interest of all parties at the time.
The conversations with Wilks certainly aren’t a bad thing for the Redskins. However, if they keep investigating defensive coordinator candidates only to keep Manusky, that could put him in a bind for 2019, as the players may view him and Jay Gruden as a lame-duck coaching duo. The front office needs to step up and make a decision quickly and communicate it to all parties involved. Otherwise, this coaching search will only continue to get weirder and weirder.