Redskins turn of the decade has no historical equal

The event

There had been rumblings. But that wasn’t new.

After staff turmoil, and empty promises of contention, and empty declarations of might, Bruce Allen had to be on the hot seat. There comes a point, if an NFL coach or executive gets enough second chances in spite of subpar production, that their future becomes a source of constant speculation. Allen reached that point far before 2019, and his reign went on long enough to discredit the possibility of any change at all.

Allen’s superior, Dan Snyder, has taken on many unofficial mantles as the Redskins owner. He avoids the spotlight almost entirely, but from his management style, one can deduce these things: He is detached. He is prideful of the past. And he gives patience to those he shouldn’t.

For ten years, Allen not only had Snyder’s patience, but his security. After every front office episode, and every controversial firing, it was somehow Allen who remained standing, and assumed control.

This was the kind of thing that was never supposed to happen. Bruce Allen and Dan Snyder were all but expected to carry their ill-founded marriage into the next decade. Therein lies a uniquely meaningful characteristic of eras, incomprehensibly vast units of time: In the middle of an era, it can be impossible to imagine it ending.

But if history tells us anything, volatility always leads to change. The era always ends. And on the heels of an extinction event which saw Bruce Allen leave D.C., along with scores of coaches and executives, Dan Snyder has new company. As the volcanic cloud fades, they’re staring ahead, at the era to come.