Redskins Fire GM Scot McCloughan After Two Years

The Washington Redskins terminated general manager Scot McCloughan on Thursday, slightly more than two years after hiring him to resuscitate their organization.

Scot McCloughan Fired as Redskins GM after two years

The move follows weeks of speculation regarding his future with the Redskins and reports of issues between him and the team.

McCloughan, 46, was prevented from speaking to the media at the Senior Bowl and missed last week’s NFL Scouting Combine, citing a death in the family as his reason earlier in February.

Redskins president Bruce Allen released the following statement on McCloughan’s firing:

“The Washington Redskins have released Scot McCloughan from the organization effective immediately. We wish him success in his future endeavors. The team will have no further comment on his departure. The organization remains confident in our personnel department as we execute our free agency plans as well as prepare for the upcoming NFL Draft.”

According to the Washington Post, an official with direct knowledge of the situation said McCoughan’s ongoing issues with alcohol may have been the primary reason for the team’s decision. McCloughan’s alcoholic tendencies also caused him to be fired from front-office with the San Francisco 49ers in 2010 and Seattle Seahawks in 2014.

“He’s had multiple relapses due to alcohol,” said the official, who spoke on a condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment on personnel matters. “He showed up in the locker room drunk on multiple occasions. . . . This has been a disaster for 18 months.”

The official added McCloughan has received alcohol treatment since he first joined the Redskins in January 2015, although he hasn’t actively worked for the franchise in weeks. Even before he abruptly left the team’s home stadium late last month, the GM had already been placed in “timeout” due to his inappropriate behavior, according to the official.

Neither McCloughan nor his agent, Peter Schaffer, have commented on the Redskins’ decision. McCloughan’s wife Jessica tweeted late Thursday night: “Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence & making sure that impact lasts in your absence.”

McCloughan has not denied his past problems with alcohol, and even went as far as to admit publicly that he is capable of drinking and performing his job adequately.

The timing of this issue seems terrible for the Redskins, as it came on the first day of NFL free agency, when teams around the league can begin signing veteran players to improve their rosters.

McCloughan’s departure leaves Daniel Snyder searching for what will be the fifth general manager of his 18-year tenure as Redskins owner.

The Redskins went 8-7-1 and finished third in the NFC East in 2016. They have finished a combined 17-14-1 the past two years, with one NFC East title. Before McCloughan’s hiring, Washington had won seven games combined in two seasons.

The team franchise-tagged quarterback Kirk Cousins earlier this offseason after they were unable to work out a long-term deal with him.

The Redskins also signed former Cleveland Browns wide receiver Terrelle Pryor to a one-year, $8 million deal on Friday. Pryor recorded 1,007 yards on 77 catches and four touchdowns with Cleveland last season.

LANDOVER, MD – SEPTEMBER 20: General Manager Scot McCloughan of the Washington Redskins talks on the phone prior to the start of a game against the St. Louis Rams at FedExField on September 20, 2015 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Matt Hazlett/Getty Images)