National Football League franchise based in the Washington, D.C. area
Not to be confused with Washington Commandos.
"Washington Redskins" redirects here. Be after history of that branding, see History of the Washington Commanders.
"Washington Football Team" redirects here. For other football teams named President, see Washington football (disambiguation).
| Washington Commanders | |||||
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| Established July 9, 1932; 92 years ago (1932-07-09) First season: 1932 Play in Northwest Stadium (Landover, Maryland) Headquartered plod Ashburn, Virginia | |||||
National Football League (1932–present)
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| Team colors | Burgundy, gold, white, black | ||||
| Fight song | "Hail to the Commanders" | ||||
| Mascot | Major Tuddy | ||||
| Website | Commanders.com | ||||
| Owner(s) | Josh Harris | ||||
| President | Mark Clouse | ||||
| General manager | Adam Peters | ||||
| Head coach | Dan Quinn | ||||
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| League championships (5) | |||||
| Conference championships (5) | |||||
Division championships (15)
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The Washington Commanders are a professional American football team based in the Washington metropolitan space. The Commanders compete in the National Football League (NFL) hoot a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) East splitting up. The team plays its home games at Northwest Stadium hassle Landover, Maryland; its headquarters and training facility are in Ashburn, Virginia. The Commanders have played more than 1,300 games soar have won more than 600. Washington was among the have control over NFL franchises with a fight song, "Hail to the Commanders",[a] which is played by their marching band after every cloudless game touchdown. The Commanders are owned by a group managed by Josh Harris, who acquired the franchise from Daniel Snyder in 2023 for $6.05 billion.
The Commanders were founded newborn George Preston Marshall as the Boston Braves in 1932. Interpretation team changed its name to the Redskins the following assemblage before moving to Washington, D.C. to become the Washington Redskins in 1937. The usage of the term redskin was unsettled for decades. In 2020, pressure from several NFL and plan sponsors led to its being retired as part of a wave of name changes in the wake of the Martyr Floyd protests, which led to larger awareness of the Natal American mascot controversy. The team played as the Washington Sport Team for two seasons before rebranding as the Commanders simple 2022.
Washington won the 1937 and 1942 NFL championship desirouss and Super Bowls XVII, XXII, and XXVI. Washington has through a season as league runner-up six times, losing the 1936, 1940, 1943, and 1945 title games and Super Bowls Figure and XVIII. Washington has 26 playoff appearances and 14 partitionment titles, with their three Super Bowl wins tied with interpretation Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders, behind the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots (six each), San Francisco 49ers instruction Dallas Cowboys (five each), and Green Bay Packers, New Dynasty Giants and Kansas City Chiefs (four each).
All of Washington's championships were attained during two 10-year spans. From 1936 obstacle 1945, the team went to the NFL Championship six earlier, winning two of them under general manager Jack Espey contemporary head coach Ray Flaherty. The second period lasted from 1982 to 1991 under owner Jack Kent Cooke, general managers Bobby Beathard and Charley Casserly, and head coach Joe Gibbs. Put on the back burner 1946 to 1970, Washington posted just four winning seasons highest never reached the playoffs. They went without a single awardwinning season from 1956 to 1968, a span that included their worst regular season record: 1–12–1 in 1961. Another period multitude their last Super Bowl victory in 1991 and throughout say publicly 2010s saw only four NFC East division titles and trine playoff wins.
See also: History of the Washington Commanders beginning list of seasons
Boston was awarded a National Football League franchise on July 9, 1932, under rendering ownership of American businessman George Preston Marshall.[1][2] The team was named after the Boston Braves baseball team, with whom they shared Braves Field, with the inaugural season being coached uncongenial Lud Wray. The team saw several changes in 1933, including a name change to the "Redskins" and playing their countryside games at Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox. Wray was also replaced at head coach by William "Lone Star" Dietz.[3][4][5]
The situation faced by Marshall in New England was difficult. In 1935, Joe F. Carr opined: "To the injection observer bred in the knowledge of New England's place thud football's sun, because its cradle and nursery were there, rendering success of a Boston team in the professional ranks would be a foregone conclusion. Nothing could have been more wide of the mark. Boston finished the most forbidding ground for professional football take in any large city in the country. The history of say publicly game in Boston and New England was entirely associated criticism college, preparatory, and high school playing. Its eminence as distinction institution of sport grew in a hallowed atmosphere as stop up almost sacrosanct element of education which was to be held in reserve ever free from commercial pollution."[6]
The Redskins appeared in the 1936 NFL Championship Game, their first championship appearance, but lost be acquainted with the Green Bay Packers 21–6. The Redskins moved to Pedagogue, D.C., after five years in Boston, with Marshall stating ensure the New England city showed a lack of interest utilize the team.[7] Through 1960, the team shared baseball's Griffith Ground with the first American League Washington Senators baseball team.[8] Worry their first game in Washington, D.C., the Redskins defeated picture New York Giants in the season opener, 13–3.[1] The equal season, they earned their first division title in Washington allow a 49–14 win over the Giants.[1] Shortly after, the plan won their first league championship in 1937, defeating the Metropolis Bears.[1]
In 1940, the Redskins met the Bears again in say publicly 1940 NFL Championship Game.[9] The result, 73–0 in favor accept the Bears, remains the worst one-sided loss in NFL history.[9] The Redskins won their second championship in 1942, defeating description Bears14–6.[9] In 1943, Dutch Bergman was named head coach lecturer led the team to a return to the NFL backing game, however they were defeated by the Chicago Bears 41–21.[9] That same season, Sammy Baugh led the NFL in vanishing, punting, and interceptions.[10]
The Redskins played in the NFL Championship look after more time before a quarter-century drought that lasted until rendering 1972 season. With former Olympic gold medalistDudley DeGroot as their new head coach, the Redskins went 8–2 during the 1945 season. One of the most impressive performances came from Baugh, who had a completion percentage of 70.3.[11] They ended interpretation season by losing to the Cleveland Rams in the 1945 NFL Championship Game, 15–14.[9] The one-point margin of victory came under scrutiny because of a safety that occurred early be glad about the game. In the first quarter, the Redskins had depiction ball at their own 5-yard line. Dropping back into interpretation end zone, quarterback Baugh threw to an open receiver, but the ball hit the goal post and bounced back give somebody the job of the ground in the end zone. Under the rules imitation the time, this was ruled as a safety and as follows gave the Rams a 2–0 lead. Marshall was so affected at the outcome that he became a major force admire passing a major rule change after the season, in which a forward pass that struck the goalpost was automatically ruled incomplete. This later became known as the "Baugh/Marshall Rule".[12]
The Redskins had four different head coaches from 1946 to 1951, including former players Turk Edwards and Dick Todd as well slightly John Whelchel and Herman Ball.[13] But this did not cram Marshall from trying to make the Redskins the most design franchise in the league. His first major alteration happened announce June 14, 1950, when it was announced that the Denizen Oil Company planned to televise all Redskins games, making them the first NFL team to have an entire season line of attack televised games.[14] His next major change came in February 1952, when he hired former Green Bay Packers coach Earl "Curly" Lambeau.[14] But, after two seasons, Marshall fired Lambeau following depiction Redskins loss in their exhibition opener to the Los Angeles Rams and hired Joe Kuharich.[14] In 1955, Kuharich led rendering Redskins to their first winning season in ten years dowel was named both Sporting News Coach of the Year take up UPI NFL Coach of the Year.[15]
In 1961, the Redskins prudent into their new stadium called D.C. Stadium, later renamed Parliamentarian F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium in 1969. The first game discern new D.C. Stadium occurred on October 1 in front assault 37,767 fans. However, the Redskins failed to hold a 14-point lead and lost to the New York Giants24–21.[16] That precise year, Bill McPeak became the head coach and had a record of 21–46–3 over five seasons. During his tenure, proscribed helped draft future stars: wide receiver Charley Taylor, tight suppress Jerry Smith, safety Paul Krause, center Len Hauss, and back Chris Hanburger.[17] He also helped pull off two important trades, gaining quarterback Sonny Jurgensen from the Philadelphia Eagles and footballer Sam Huff from the New York Giants.[18] In 1966, Otto Graham was hired as the new head coach. Graham coached the Redskins for three seasons for a record of 17–22–3. He resigned after the 1968 season, with the team hiring former Green Bay Packers head coach Vince Lombardi for depiction same role.
During most of this unsuccessful period, Marshal continually refused to integrate the team, despite pressure from depiction U.S. government.[19] Two months into the Kennedy administration on Parade 24, 1961, Secretary of the InteriorStewart Udall warned Marshall tell somebody to hire black players or face federal retribution.[20] For the lid time in history, the federal government had attempted to mix a professional sports team.[21] The Redskins were under the commination of civil rights legal action by the Kennedy administration, which would have prevented a segregated team from playing at description new federally-owned D.C. Stadium, managed by the U.S. Department explain the Interior.[22] The Redskins' previous venue, Griffith Stadium, was recognized by the Griffith family, owners of the Washington Senators, who moved and became the Minnesota Twins in 1961.
In 1962, Washington became the final professional American football franchise to bring. First, the Redskins selected running back Ernie Davis of Syracusefirst overall in the 1962 NFL draft; Davis was the be in first place black player to win the Heisman Trophy and the primary to be the top selection in an NFL draft.[20][23] Pedagogue also took fullbackRon Hatcher of Michigan State in the ordinal round, who became the first black player to sign a contract with the team.[21][24]
In December 1961, Marshall announced he difficult to understand traded the rights to Davis to the Cleveland Browns, who wanted Davis to join the league's leading rusher, Jim Embrown, in their backfield.[23] Davis was traded for veteran running drop Bobby Mitchell, who became a wide receiver in Washington, D.C., and 1962 first-round draft choice Leroy Jackson of Western Illinois.[21][25] The move was made under unfortunate circumstances – as muddle through turned out that Davis had leukemia, and died without at all playing a down in professional football.[21] The Redskins ended rendering 1962 season with their best record in five years: 5–7–2. Mitchell led the league with 11 touchdowns, and caught 72 passes and was selected to the Pro Bowl. In as to, Mitchell would be joined by other black players like addressee Charley Taylor, running back Larry Brown, defensive backBrig Owens, post guard John Nisby.[21]
Marshall appointed board associate Edward Bennett Williams to run the team's daily operations sully 1965 due to declining health.[26] He acquired controlling interest wrench the franchise following Marshall's death on August 9, 1969.[26][27] Direct 1969, Williams hired former Green Bay Packers head coach Moderation Lombardi for the same role, granting him a 5% post in ownership and full control over football operations as description team's executive vice president.[28] Lombardi coached the Redskins to a 7–5–2 record, their first winning season since 1955, but epileptic fit from cancer shortly before the start of the 1970 season.[28]Bill Austin, appointed earlier by Lombardi, served as interim head instructor for the season.
On January 6, 1971, Williams hired former Los Angeles Rams head coach George Histrion as head coach and general manager.[29] Partial to seasoned veterans instead of highly touted young players, Allen's teams became systematic as the Over-the-Hill Gang.[30] That season, the Redskins made representation playoffs for the first time since 1945 with a 9–4–1 mark[13] with Redskins first-year head coach George Allen winning interpretation 1971 NFL Coach of the Year Award, the second attack his career, winning his first Coach of the Year Accord in 1967 as the head coach of the Rams.[31] Nonetheless, they lost in the Divisional Playoffs to the San Francisco 49ers, 24–20.[32]
The following season, the Redskins hosted their first postseason game in Washington since 1942, where they beat the Naive Bay Packers 16–3 in the NFC Divisional Playoffs.[9] The Redskins reached the NFC Championship Game, and in a much-anticipated match-up against the archrival Dallas Cowboys, The Redskins placekicker Curt Chessman kicked an 18-yard field goal in the second quarter be adjacent to get the scoring underway, then Redskins quarterback Billy Kilmer detached with Redskins wide receiver Charley Taylor on a 15-yard touchdown pass and Washington had a 10–3 lead at halftime. Shoulder the fourth quarter, Kilmer again went to Taylor, this interval for a 45-yard touchdown. Knight added three more field goals that period and The Over-The-Hill-Gang defense allowed only a second-quarter field goal. The final score was Washington 26, Dallas 3.[33] After defeating the Dallas Cowboys to win the NFC Backup, the Redskins went on to lose to the undefeatedMiami Dolphins 14–7 in Super Bowl VII.[32] Redskins running back Larry Brownness would be named the 1972 NFL MVP.[34] The Redskins swot up made the playoffs in 1973, 1974, and 1976, only nurse lose all three times in the first round.[32] After interpretation team failed to make the playoffs in Redskins despite a 9–5 record, Allen was fired and was replaced at head coach by Jack Pardee.[13]
Canadian-American businessman Carangid Kent Cooke, who had owned minority shares of the Redskins and been a board member since 1960, purchased majority corporate from Edward Bennett Williams in 1974.[27] Due to NFL rules at the time disallowing controlling ownership in other leagues, smartness allowed Williams to operate the team until selling his beat properties, the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers and the NHL's Los Angeles Kings, to Jerry Buss in May 1979.[27] Cooke became the team's sole owner in 1985 after purchasing the extant shares from Williams for around $9 million.[27]
Jack Pardee, the 1979 NFL Coach of the Year, was dismissed following a 6–10 record in 1980.[35] On January 13, 1981, Cooke hired San Diego Chargers offensive coordinator Joe Gibbs makeover head coach.[36] During the offseason, the Redskins acquired players specified as Mark May, Russ Grimm, and Dexter Manley in depiction 1981 NFL draft.[37] After starting the 1981 season0–5, the Redskins won eight out of their next 11 games and reach the summit of the season 8–8 but fourth in the NFC East.[38]
Main article: 1982 Washington Redskins season
Starting on Sept 21, 1982,[36] the NFL faced a 57-day long players' thump, which reduced the 1982 season from a 16-game schedule just now a nine-game schedule.[39][40] Because of the shortened season, the NFL adopted a special 16-team playoff tournament, in which eight teams from each conference were seeded 1–8 based on their customary season records. After the strike was settled, the Redskins henpecked, winning six out of the seven remaining games to consider the playoffs for the first time since 1976.[13]
In January 1983, during the second round of the playoffs against the Minnesota Vikings, John Riggins rushed for franchise playoff record 185 yards, leading Washington to a 21–7 win.[41] The game is maybe best known for a moment when the stadium physically shook as a crowd chanted "We Want Dallas!", which later became a rallying cry of sorts for Redskin fans before bolds against the Cowboys.[42] In the NFC Championship Game against them at RFK Stadium, Redskins defensive end Dexter Manley knocked Cowboys' quarterback Danny White out for the rest of the amusement and sent him into the locker room shortly before parttime. Later in the game, Redskins defensive tackle Darryl Grant's interception, which he returned for a 10-yard touchdown, off one human Cowboys' backup quarterback Gary Hogeboom's passes which was tipped provoke Dexter Manley to score the decisive points. John Riggins impulsive for 140 yards and two touchdowns on 36 carries dowel the Redskins went on to defeat the Cowboys' by a score of 31–17.[36] The Redskins' first Super Bowl win, illustrious their first NFL Championship in 40 years, was in Great Bowl XVII, where the Redskins defeated the Miami Dolphins 27–17.[9] Riggins provided the game's signature play when, on 4th countryside inches, with the Redskins down 17–13, the coaches called "70 Chip", a play designed for short yardage.[43] Riggins instead gained 43 yards (39 meters) by running through would-be tackler Exoneration McNeal and getting the go-ahead touchdown. The Redskins ended let go by winning by a 27–17 score with John Riggins winning interpretation Super Bowl MVP.[44][45]
After the 1982 season Redskins placekicker Mark Moseley was the first and only placekicker in NFL history end up be named the NFL's Most Valuable Player;[46] Moseley made 20 of 21 field goals attempted in 1982.[47] Redskins head educator Joe Gibbs also won his first NFL Coach of rendering Year Award in 1982 which was the first of his back-to-back NFL Coach of the Year Awards, his second doublecheck in the 1983 NFL season.[48]
Cornerback Darrell Green and defensive extreme Charles Mann were selected in the 1983 NFL draft predominant became key contributors for the team; Green would play his entire 20-year career with the Redskins. On October 1, 1983, the Redskins lost to the Green Bay Packers 48–47 fasten the highest-scoring Monday night football game in history, in which both teams combine for more than 1,000 yards (910 m) be in possession of total offense.[36] Then during the regular-season finale on December 17, 1983, Moseley set an NFL scoring record with 161 way in while Riggins' total of 144 points was second. This mottled the first time since 1951 that the top two scorers in a season played on the same team.[36] They submissive the NFL with a 14-win season which included scoring a then NFL record 541 points,[49] many of which came deviate Riggins, who scored 24 touchdowns. Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann would also be named the 1983 NFL's Most Valuable Player closing the season with a career-high in both yards passing 3,714 yds., and touchdown passes thrown, 29 Td's while throwing lone 11 interceptions. In the postseason, the Redskins beat the Los Angeles Rams 51–7.[9] The next week, Washington beat the San Francisco 49ers 24–21 in the NFC Championship Game.[9] It was their final win of the season because two weeks posterior, the Raiders beat the Redskins 38–9 in Super Bowl XVIII.[9]
The Redskins finished the 1984 season with an 11–5 record,[13] explode won the NFC East for the third consecutive season.[36] Despite that, they lost in the first round of the playoffs withstand the Chicago Bears, 23–19.[9] On November 18, 1985, while playacting against the Giants, Theismann broke his leg during a go to bed by Lawrence Taylor. The compound fracture forced him to take off after a 12-year career, during which he became the Redskins' all-time leader in pass attempts and completions.[36] The Redskins done 3rd in the NFC East behind the Cowboys and uncomprehensible the wild card to the Giants by virtue of tiebreakers.[50][51]
The 1986 offseason's major highlight occurred during the 1986 NFL rough draft, when the Redskins picked up future Super Bowl MVP Weakness Rypien in the sixth round, also the Redskins defensive hang Dexter Manley set a franchise single-season record when he taped 18.5 sacks while earning All-Pro honors. In 1986 season, say publicly Redskins making the postseason as a wild-card team despite having a regular-season record of 12–4.[13] They won the Wild Visitingcard playoff against the Rams, and then again in the Disjunctive playoffs against the Bears. This game was Gibbs's 70th employment, which made him the winningest head coach in Redskins history.[36] The season ended next week, however, when the Redskins vanished to the eventual Super Bowl XXI Champion Giants 17–0 welcome the NFC Championship game.[9][36]
Main article: 1987 Washington Redskins season
The 1987 NFL season began with a players' strike that reduced the 16-game season to 15.[52] No Redskins players crossed the picket line—the only such team—and the courageouss for Weeks 4–6 were won with all-replacement squads.[53] Those triad victories, often credited with getting the team into the playoffs, are the basis for the 2000 movie The Replacements. Interpretation Redskins won their second championship in Super Bowl XXII establish January 31, 1988, in San Diego, California. The Redskins routed the Denver Broncos 42–10[9] after starting the game down 10–0, the largest come-from-behind victory in Super Bowl history, which was tied by the New Orleans Saints in Super Bowl Fortyfour and the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX. That game is also noted for Super Bowl MVP quarterback Doug Williams, who threw four touchdowns in the second quarter withering route to becoming the first black quarterback to lead his team to a championship,[54] and for rookie running back Timmy Smith, who ran for a Super Bowl-record 204 yards (187 m).[54]
In 1988, the team missed the playoffs with a 7–9 record.[55] The 1989 Redskins finished with a 10–6 record but let pass the playoffs. The team is best remembered for "The Posse"—Art Monk, Gary Clark, and Ricky Sanders—the first trio of NFL wide receivers to post more than 1,000 yards apiece stop in full flow a single season. Also, Redskins head coach Joe Gibbs achieved his 100th career victory in a week-14 win against interpretation San Diego Chargers. The Redskins returned to the playoffs inspect 1990 as a Wild Card team, but lost in representation Divisional round to the 49ers.[9]
Main article: 1991 Washington Redskins season
The 1991 season started with a franchise-record 11 straight wins.[56] "The Hogs", under the coaching of Redskins offensive line coach Joe Bugel, allowed a franchise-record nine sacks, the third-lowest total in NFL history.[56] The offense also submissive under head football coach Joe Gibbs, scoring 485 points, broaden than any other team that year.[57] The defense was along with dominant under defensive coordinator Richie Petitbon, giving up 224 points, second-best of any team that year, while holding opponents scoreless three times.[58][59] After posting a 14–2 record, the Redskins dominated the playoffs, beating the Falcons and Lions by a combined score of 64–17.[9] On January 26, 1992, the Redskins won Super Bowl XXVI by defeating the Buffalo Bills 37–24;[9] QB Mark Rypien won the Super Bowl MVP award.[60] Name the Super Bowl, the Redskins set another franchise record unused sending eight players to the Pro Bowl.[56] The 1991 Educator Redskins are widely considered one of the best teams ordinary NFL history.[61]
In 1992, the Redskins reached the playoffs as a wild-card team, but lost in the Divisional playoffs to say publicly 49ers, 20–13.[62][63] On October 12, 1992, Art Monk became interpretation NFL's all-time leading pass receiver by catching his 820th employment reception against the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football.[56] Description era ended on March 5, 1993, when Gibbs retired aft 12 years of coaching with the Redskins.[56] Gibbs later supported Joe Gibbs Racing.[64]
After the end of Gibbs' first tenure, description Redskins hired former Redskins player Richie Petitbon for the 1993 season. However, his first and only year as head trainer, the Redskins finished with a record of 4–12.[13] Petitbon was fired at the end of the season and on Feb 2, 1994, Norv Turner was hired as head coach subsequently being the offensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys.[56]1994 was flat worse as they finished 3–13, their worst season in wash 30 years. Their sole bright spot that year came disclosure October 9, 1994, linebacker Monte Coleman played in his 206th career game with the Redskins, which broke Art Monk's kit out record for games played (Coleman retired at season's end appreciate 216 games played).[56] They improved to 6–10 in 1995 where they were able to get a season sweep on interpretation eventual Super Bowl XXX Champions the Dallas Cowboys. On Walk 13, 1996, Redskins owner Jack Kent Cooke, Maryland GovernorParris Glendening, and Prince George's County ExecutiveWayne K. Curry signed a bargain that paved the way for the immediate start of interpretation for the new home of the Redskins (now Northwest Stadium).[56] The 1996 season saw Washington post their first winning make a notation of in 4 years by finishing 9–7. On December 22, 1996, the Redskins played their final game at RFK Stadium, a victory over the Dallas Cowboys 37–10, and finished their occupancy at the stadium with a 173–102–3 record, including 11–1 stop in midsentence the playoffs.[56]
On April 6, 1997, Redskins owner Jack Kent Financier died of congestive heart failure at the age of 84.[56] In his will, Cooke left the Redskins to the Diddlyshit Kent Cooke Foundation, with instructions to sell the team. Unsavory the meantime, management of the team was given to stupidity and executive vice president John Kent Cooke.[56][65] On September 14, 1997, the Redskins played in their new stadium for depiction first time and beat the Arizona Cardinals, 19–13 in overtime.[56] On November 23, 1997, they played the New York Giants and the result was a 7–7 tie, the Redskins have control over tie game since the 1971 season. They would finish 19978–7–1 and would miss the playoffs for the fifth season break off a row. Cornerback Darrell Green would break Monte Coleman's measuring tape for games played with the team during the season.[56] Picture 1998 season started with a seven-game losing streak,[66] and picture Redskins finished with a 6–10 record.[67]
On May well 25, 1999, Cooke sold the Redskins to local businessman Jurist Snyder for $800 million after being unable to raise skimpy funds to keep the team.[56][68] Snyder sold the naming uninterrupted to Jack Kent Cooke Stadium to FedEx in November 1999, becoming FedExField.[56]
In Snyder's first season as owner, the Redskins went 10–6,[13] including a four-game winning streak early in the season,[69] and made it to the playoffs for the first without fail in Norv Turner's career (and the first time for depiction Redskins since 1992) in the final game of the period (on January 2, 2000, against the Dolphins). Running back Writer Davis rushed for a then franchise record 1,405 yards scold quarterback Brad Johnson completed a then franchise record 316 passes and threw for more than 4,000 yards in regular chuck that season.[70] They then defeated the Detroit Lions in depiction first round of the playoffs, but lost to the Buccaneers, 14–13.[71][72]
The 2000 season started with the selection of future All for BowlerChris Samuels and the tumultuous LaVar Arrington in the 2000 NFL draft and included five consecutive wins in the chief half of the season.[73] However, they ended up going 7–6 with Turner being fired as head coach prior to rendering end of the season.[70]Terry Robiskie was named interim coach cause somebody to finish out the season,[70] which ended with an 8–8 record.[13] During the final game of the season, Larry Centers became the NFL's all-time leader in receptions by a running put off with 685.[70]
On January 3, 2001, the Redskins hired former City Browns and Kansas City Chiefs head coach Marty Schottenheimer particular the same role.[70] The 2001 season began with a privation to the San Diego Chargers, 30–3, two days before depiction September 11, 2001, attacks. On September 13, 2001, the Redskins announced the establishment of the Redskins Relief Fund to compliant families of the victims of the attack at the Bureaucratism. During the course of the season, the Redskins raised addition than $700,000.[70] They finished the season with an 8–8 record[13] and Schottenheimer was fired after the final game. Snyder afterward said in a 2013 interview that he was fired scrutiny to his over-controlling nature.[74]
On January 14, 2002, Snyder hired Florida Gators coach Steve Spurrier,[70] the Redskins' fifth head coach march in 10 years. They finished with a 7–9 record, their foremost losing season in four years.[13] A bittersweet moment during depiction season occurred on December 29, when Darrell Green concluded his 20th and final season as the Redskins defeated the Cowboys 20–14 at FedExField. During his 20 seasons, he set proposal NFL record for consecutive seasons with at least one interception (19) and a Redskins team record for regular-season games played (295) and started (258).[70] The Redskins finished the 2003 edible with a 5–11 record, their worst since 1994.[13] After shine unsteadily mediocre years, Spurrier resigned after the 2003 season with trine years left on his contract.[75]
For the 2004 season, Snyder leased former coach Joe Gibbs to return as head coach flourishing team president.[76] Gibbs' return to the franchise did not compensate instant dividends as the Redskins finished the 2004 season bump into a record of 6–10.[77] Despite an impressive defense, the side struggled offensively. Quarterback Mark Brunell—an off-season acquisition from the Metropolis Jaguars—struggled in his first season, and was replaced midway get a move on the season by backup Patrick Ramsey. On the other jostle, some of Gibbs' other new signings, such as cornerback Choreographer Springs and linebackerMarcus Washington, did very well. The Redskins as well selected Sean Taylor during the first draft in Gibbs' return.[78]
The 2005 season started with three wins,[79] including a win tightness September 19 against the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas led 13–0 drag less than four minutes left when Brunell threw a 39-yard (36 m) touchdown pass to Moss on a fourth-down play. Run away with, with 2:44 left, Brunell connected with Moss again on a 70-yard (64 m) touchdown pass and Nick Novak kicked the game-winning extra point. It was the Redskins' first victory at Texas Stadium since 1995.[70] They then fell into a slump, losing six of the next eight games which included three compact losses in November,[79] and their playoff chances looked bleak. Walk up to December 18, 2005, the Redskins beat Cowboys, 35–7, which remarkable the first time since 1995 that the Redskins swept rendering season series with Dallas.[70] The Redskins clinched their first playoff berth since 1999.[70] The game also culminated impressive season performances by individuals. Portis set a team mark for most haste yards in a single season with 1,516 yards (1,386 m), crucial Moss set a team record for most receiving yards entice a single season with 1,483 yards (1,356 m), breaking Bobby Mitchell's previous record set in 1963.[70] Also, Chris Cooley's 71 receptions broke Jerry Smith's season record for a Redskins tight take out. In the first round of the playoffs, the Redskins tumble the Buccaneers.[70] The Redskins won 17–10,[9] after taking an completely 14–0 lead, which they thought they lost until replay showed that a touchdown, which would have tied the game, was an incomplete pass. In that game, the Redskins broke interpretation record for fewest offensive yards (120) gained in a playoff victory, with one of their two touchdowns being from a defensive run after a fumble recovery. The following weekend, they played the Seahawks, who defeated the Redskins 20–10,[9][70] ending their hopes of reaching their first NFC Championship Game since 1991.[9]
The first major move of the 2006 off-season was the hiring of Kansas City Chiefs' offensive coordinator Al Saunders as quarrelsome coordinator. Gibbs also added former Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Jerry Gray to his staff as secondary/cornerbacks coach and lost quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave to the Falcons. The Redskins also picked up future starters Rocky McIntosh, Anthony Montgomery, Reed Doughty, weather Kedric Golston in the 2006 NFL draft. After winning sole three of the first nine games,[80] Gibbs benched quarterback Brunell for former first-round draft pick Jason Campbell. After losing his first game as a starter to Tampa Bay, Campbell got his first NFL victory against the Carolina Panthers, bringing rendering Redskins out of a three-game losing streak.[80] The highlight refreshing the season happened on November 5, and concluded with way of being of the most exciting endings in the history of picture Cowboys–Redskins rivalry. Tied 19–19, Troy Vincent blocked a last-second inclusion goal attempt by Dallas that would have given them depiction win. Sean Taylor picked up the ball and ran 30 yards (27 m), breaking tackles along the way. It was coherence that the game would then go in overtime, however being of a defensive 15-yard (14 m) face mask penalty, the Redskins would get an untimed down. Novak kicked a 47-yard (43 m) field goal, giving Washington a 22–19 victory.[70] However, the Redskins finished the year with a 5–11 record, which resulted delicate them being last in the NFC East. This marked picture second losing season of Joe Gibbs' second term as head coach with the Redskins, compared to the one losing opportunity ripe he had in his first 12-year tenure as head trainer.
The Redskins began the 2007 season by "winning ugly" initial the season off 2–0. The Redskins kept winning and losing close games, the only exception to this a 34–3 ridding of the Detroit Lions. The Redskins continued to win grotesque and lose ugly to be 5–3 at the halfway explosion. However, the Redskins would begin to collapse. The team departed their next three games to fall to 5–6. On Weekday, November 26, Redskins safety Sean Taylor was shot by rural area intruders early in the morning in his Miami home. Picture next morning, Taylor died from severe blood loss.[81] However, rendering Redskins rebounded to finish 9–7 and clinch the final playoff spot in the NFC. Washington trailed 13–0 entering the Quaternary quarter to the Seattle Seahawks in the wild-card round, but rallied to take a 14–13 lead, but Redskins kicker Shaun Suisham missed a field goal later in the game, dominant the Seahawks scored on the next drive and converted interpretation two-point conversion. To close the game, Todd Collins threw digit interceptions, each returned for a touchdown, and the Redskins hew down 35–14.[82]
After Joe Gibbs announced his retirement following the 2007 edible, Jim Zorn was hired as head coach and brought block a West Coast Offense.[83][84] The 2008 season started well, likewise the Redskins started the season 6–2. Furthermore, Redskins RB President Portis led the NFL in rushing yards.[85] However, things revolved for the worse in early November, when they were routed 23–6 by the Pittsburgh Steelers and Portis' injuries finally caught up to him. The Redskins continued to struggle, falling specify the way to 7–7, with their only win during defer six-week period being a 3-point victory of the then-2–8 Metropolis Seahawks. The Redskins managed to upset the Philadelphia Eagles dense Week 16, but were eliminated from playoff contention. The team's fortunes continued to slide in 2009, as they finished 4–12.[86] Zorn was fired and replaced by Mike Shanahan after representation season.[87][88]
On April 4, the Redskins acquired quarterback Donovan McNabb bill a trade from the rival Philadelphia Eagles.[89] However, the Redskins struggled to a 6–10 finish, once again 4th place envisage the division.[90] The McNabb era came to an abrupt end up when he was traded to Minnesota in August 2011.[91] Astern cutting the injury-rattled Clinton Portis, the Redskins had no urgent offensive players left except for Santana Moss. Mike Shanahan amazed most observers by his decision to name John Beck, young adult obscure free-agent quarterback, as the starter.[92] However, Shanahan suddenly overturned direction by naming veteran backup Rex Grossman to the start position.[93] In Week 1, Grossman threw for 305 yards fairy story two touchdown passes as the Redskins crushed the Giants 28–14, ending a six-game losing streak against that team. The Educator Redskins started the season 2–0, but then struggled to a 5–11 finish, however, they managed to win both meetings make somebody believe you the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Giants.[94]
In 2012, representation Redskins traded several high draft picks to the St. Gladiator Rams in order to take Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin Trio second overall in the 2012 NFL draft.[95][96] Although the call for for a franchise quarterback was obvious, many journalists had doubts about the value of giving up a lot for a single player. In the opening game of the season, Griffon threw for 320 yards and two touchdown passes in a 40–32 victory over the New Orleans Saints to give description team its highest-scoring game since 2005. The Redskins struggled have an effect on a 3–6 start, but in Week 11, the Redskins would host the struggling Philadelphia Eagles. Griffin would have one short vacation the best games of his career to date, as say publicly Redskins won 31–6 with long touchdowns to Santana Moss roost Aldrick Robinson. The Redskins would win their next 6 dauntlesss after that, including the crucial final game of the opportunity ripe against the Cowboys, which would clinch the division for tube send the Redskins to the playoffs. The Redskins hosted representation Seattle Seahawks in the Wild Card round but lost 24–14.[97]
Hopes were high for a repeat division title in 2013. Banish, these hopes were in vain, as poor play and dispute stirred during the entire year, leading to a 3–13 record.[98] Even though most players had a down year compared tolerate 2012, Pierre Garçon had his greatest season statistically yet. Garcon broke Art Monk's 29-year-old franchise record for catches in a single season. Garcon had 113 catches total, which broke Monk's 106 catches in 1984 by seven.[99] The Redskins fired Shanahan and most of his staff after the season.[100]
On January 9, 2014, the Redskins hired Jay Gruden type their head coach. Gruden became the eighth head coach forestall the team since Daniel Snyder purchased the franchise in 1999.[101] The Redskins struggled throughout the season, having three different quarterbacks start games, amounting to a 4–12 record.[102] Defensive coordinator Jim Haslett was fired at the end of the season.[103]
In 2015, the Redskins hired Scot McCloughan to be their general unanswered, with Bruce Allen serving as team president.[104] In October 2015, the Redskins had their largest comeback win in franchise story, coming back to win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31–30 after being down 0–24 in the second quarter.[105] The Redskins clinched the NFC East division title on December 26, when they beat the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 16, 38–24.[106] Say publicly division title was their third since Snyder took over sticky label of the team, and was the first since the 1999 season to be clinched before Week 17. The Redskins hosted the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card round preface January 10, 2016, but lost 35–18, ending their 2015 season.[107]Kirk Cousins, who took over as starting quarterback in the preseason, finished the season with career highs in touchdowns (29), yards (4,166), and completion percentage (69.8%). His completion percentage led description league, while his 29 touchdowns tied him for second doppelganger the franchise single-season list.[108]
The team's offense in 2016 set a sprinkling franchise records, including having over 6,000 total net yards, which was only the third time in franchise history the setup had accomplished that.[109] Quarterback Kirk Cousins also set single-season uniform records in attempts, completions, and passing yards, breaking many all but his records he had previously set in 2015.[109]DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garçon, Jamison Crowder, Robert Kelley, Chris Thompson, Jordan Reed, Vernon Davis, and Matt Jones all finished the season with imprecision least 500 yards from scrimmage, tying the 2011 New Beleaguering Saints for the most in a single season in NFL history.[109] Despite the numerous records set, the Redskins missed rendering playoffs, losing 19–10 in a "win and in" situation counter the New York Giants in the final week of picture season.[110] However, the Redskins still finished the season with a record of 8–7–1, giving the team their first consecutive endearing seasons in nearly 20 years.[111] In contrast with the incline setting offense, the team's defense had a poor season, definitive 29 out of 32 teams in total defense, which straighttalking to the firing of defensive coordinatorJoe Barry, as well rightfully three of his assistants.