The Washington Redskins have been functioning without a general manager in recent days and, on Thursday, the hammer dropped as to what has actually transpired within the team's front office. Liz Clarke, John Woodrow Cox, Mike Jones and Master Tesfatsion of the Washington Post bring word that Scot McCloughan has been fired before the halfway point of his four-year contract in Washington.
The news, in itself, is bizarre and highly noteworthy, but the report indicates that McCloughan was let go after a relapse of alcohol abuse that affected his job performance.
"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."
As noted by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, McCloughan is highly respected within the industry for his work with personnel and his eye for talent is unquestioned. Still, this isn't something that comes completely out of left field according to the published report.
The remarks linking McCloughan's drinking and his job performance were not the first in recent weeks by someone affiliated with the Redskins. Former tight end Chris Cooley, who is employed by the Redskins-owned sports radio station, said on the air Feb. 14 that alcohol may help explain the general manager's absence. Three individuals involved with the team told The Washington Post on Wednesday that McCloughan was incensed by the team's failure to come to his defense following Cooley's remarks, or to reprimand Cooley.
The timing could not be any crazier for Washington, as the NFL's free agency period began in earnest on Thursday. There is plenty of time for the organization to pivot, but they need to do so quickly to avoid any lag in personnel activity. In the meantime, it seems as if McCloughan needs help and, hopefully, he'll get it.
