Report: Shanahan nearly quit last season
Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan was so disillusioned with how owner Dan Snyder was running the team that he cleaned out his desk and nearly quit last season, ESPN reported Sunday.
Citing a source, the incident occurred the week of the Redskins' playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks. Shanahan was reportedly expected to leave the team as soon as the season ended.
Shanahan was upset that Snyder valued quarterback Robert Griffin III over all the other players on the team. Shanahan blamed Snyder for creating an atmosphere that he did not believe was conducive to winning. Shanahan reportedly told people close to him that Snyder's favorable treatment of Griffin was a "complete farce."
According to the report, Shanahan was content to leave the Redskins after winning the NFC East title but changed his mind after the team lost to Seattle in the playoffs and Griffin sustained a serious knee injury in the game.
Shanahan did not deny or confirm the report following Sunday's loss to Kansas City.
"It's not the right time or place to talk about my relationship with Dan Snyder," Shanahan said. "Or it's not the right time or place to talk about something that happened a year ago."
Redskins spokesman Tony Wyllie said, "That story is ridiculous."
A breakup may be inevitable. The Redskins are 3-9 this season and Snyder could fire Shanahan at the end of the season or he may resign. Shanahan has one year left on his contract.
