Rumors: Redskins to promote Eric Schaffer, Kyle Smith in 2020?

No one knows what the Redskins are going to do in 2020, so naturally, anything is on the table.

After a 3-13 Washington Redskins season, which was capped off by a lopsided 47-16 loss at the hands of the Dallas Cowboys, the franchise in D.C. is searching for answers.

The team’s 3-13 campaign, by itself, is a disappointing entity in its own right, but when juxtaposing that singular year with the near-two decades of dysfunction before it, it takes on a whole new meaning. The Redskins have long been due for a change. 2020 is yet another opportunity to get it right, but they’ve failed so many times before under Dan Snyder.

Recently, some reason for optimism was presented, when it was reported and confirmed that team president Bruce Allen would be removed from his role in football operations. That’s one step in the right direction, but it alone doesn’t get the Redskins where they need to go. Sensible general manager and head coaching hires come next.

The Redskins haven’t yet fulfilled that critical criterion, and while nothing is official, rumors are running rampant. Ron Rivera is reportedly interviewing for the team’s head coaching vacancy tomorrow, and according to a former player who has potential connections, two respected in-house executives are receiving promotions.

According to Robert Henson, a former NFL linebacker who was drafted by the Redskins in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL Draft, and played with the team from 2009 to 2011, Washington is promoting Eric Schaffer to “Bruce’s role”, while Kyle Smith, the team’s current director of college scouting, is moving into a “traditional GM role”.

It’s important to note that this is nothing more than a rumor. Henson isn’t a normal source, and he does not have a track record of success. Schaffer and Smith are both viewed as respected, young, up-and-coming front office executives, and both have been regarded as executives who deserve promotion. But no in-house moves have been announced yet, and Dan Snyder is already interviewing head coaching candidates.

It could be that moves have been made to give Smith and Schaffer increased roles, and the franchise simply hasn’t announced them yet. That would solve the issue of interviewing a coaching candidate without a general manager; Kyle Smith would theoretically be the one fulfilling the role, working with Rivera and other candidates, with his official announcement still pending.

But recent reports suggest that Snyder has gone about the coaching search on his own, with advisement from outside sources. Those reports do not support the notion that Smith and Schaffer are being elevated. That said, NFL insider Benjamin Allbright seconded the notion that the Redskins may promote from within to fill their general manager spot, and he specifically mentioned Smith and Schaffer. He also said Alex Smith could have a role. Allbright is very reliable, but he was not dealing in absolutes, instead speaking more of possibilities.

As the famous saying goes, there’s truth to all rumors. The Redskins will be making a change tomorrow no matter what, and here at Riggo’s Rag, we’ll keep you updated with all the latest developments, to make sure you stay in the loop. Stay tuned; this saga isn’t over yet.