Redskins quarterback situation is a showdown between Shanahan, Snyder over $7M
By Peter Smith
There are sources and everything else saying that the Washington Redskins are going to essentially deactivate Robert Griffin III, even though head coach Mike Shanahan has described him as 100% healthy. Kirk Cousins is supposed to be the plan the rest of the year with Rex Grossman as the backup. The quarterbacks are just pawns in a situation that is about $7 million; Shanahan wants it and owner Daniel Snyder does not want to pay it.
Essentially, while shutting down Griffin is an effort to protect him from further hits and injury and gives them the opportunity to showcase Cousins as potential trade bait, which all can be 100% true, this whole thing really comes down to money and a showdown between Shanahan and Snyder.
Snyder loves Griffin and is reported to be extremely close with him; a trap he has fallen into in the past, which has created problems. The idea that Griffin would be shut down is supposed to have Snyder livid at Shanahan. The question is if it will be enough for him to pull the trigger and fire him. Shanahan wants out, but he would really like to leave with the $7 million and he only gets it if he gets fired or finishes the contract. Snyder has to decide how far he is willing to go with this situation. He could fire Shanahan and be done with it and give him the $7 million, but that has not happened yet, so Shanahan is trying to force him to do it. Snyder can easily afford to pay it, but pride and the perception of losing may be getting in the way.
There are many onlookers who would really like to see Snyder make Shanahan finish out the contract just to see how far this situation will go. Aside from starting Cousins and benching/protecting Griffin, it is definitely interesting to see what else Shanahan can do to stick it to Snyder in hopes of getting fired.