Report: Shanahan Turned Down Redskins' Offer to Supplant Zorn

Fox Sports reported two weeks ago that the Redskins had been in contact with Mike Shanahan about possibly becoming the team’s next coach. Washington adamantly denied it.

But today, a new report on the topic has surfaced at FanHouse, which claims that Shanahan was not only contacted about the job, but was offered the opportunity to replace Zorn mid-season:

“Shanahan told the franchise there was little he could do in the middle of the season for them and that changing coaches during the season in the NFL rarely works,’’ a Redskins management source said. “Several people that Dan Snyder trusts have suggested, if he makes a move, he should turn it over to secondary coach Jerry Gray. That could still happen.”

This would explain why sources said Gruden suddenly became the object of Snyder’s infatuation last week. Coincidentally, Gruden will be in D.C. this weekend to cover the Skins-Eagles game for ESPN on Monday night.