Report: Kyle Shanahan Could Be Cause Of Issues Between Mike Shanahan & Ownership

Update:

According to News 4 Sports in Washington, Redskins offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan’s role in the organization could be the cause for the issues between HC Mike Shanahan and ownership.

Jeff Darlington of the NFL Network reports that Shanahan has yet to make a decision regarding whether or not Robert Griffin III will start Week 15’s game.

Shanahan is expected to have a decision by Wednesday and reports have indicated that owner Dan Synder has no intention of involving himself in the team’s quarterback decision.

The problem with hiring your son as offensive coordinator is that it becomes an all-or-nothing situation where you either fire the pair or keep them in place. Had Shanahan gone with someone other than Kyle, he may have gotten some more leeway as the team’s head coach.

The situation appears to be coming to a boiling point, so we’ll have to see if ownership elects to make a change soon or wait until after the season.

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Mark Maske of the Washington Post reports that Redskins owner Dan Snyder is exploring his options for firing HC Mike Shanahan “with cause,” which would allow them part ways with Shanahan without paying the rest of his salary.

Maske adds that a source mentioned that it’s not clear what the team is ultimately willing to do at this point in time. The source added that there are “a number of things on the table” right now.

Maske has talked to several people who expect Shanahan to be fired at some point in the near future.

As for the issue of Shanahan’s contract, Washington would be on the hook for his remaining salary if they were to fire him. Shanahan has one year remaining on his contract worth close to $7 million, so you can see why Snyder would be looking to save the money.

If the Redskins can find a way to prove that Shanahan violated his contract, it would get them out of his deal without compensation. This is course hard to prove and there is really no guarantee that their case would ultimately hold up. However, it could be enough for the sides to negotiate some sort of settlement.

“It could become a stare-down over the money,” said Maske’s source.

Either way, Shanahan’s time in Washington is surely coming to an end and the team will be back in the market for another head coach this offseason. As of now, Baylor HC Art Briles has been mentioned as possible target.

We’ll have more as the news is available.