Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder is not currently inclined to fire head coach Mike Shanahan and buy out the remainder of his contract, according to a report from Mark Maske of the Washington Post.
Dan Snyder not willing to buy out Mike Shanahan, per report
The decision on whether or not to fire Mike Shanahan is tied to his expensive contract, worth $7 million a season through next season.
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Rumors have swirled that the Redskins coach could be fired either before the season is over or as soon as it is completed, with the team mired in a wholly disappointing losing season after winning the NFC East in 2012. An ESPN report last week stated that Shanahan was ready to resign following the postseason, yet decided to stay after Robert Griffin III's knee injury, and that the coach was unhappy with the relationship between the owner and the star quarterback.
This week, after Griffin was once again rather ineffective in a blowout loss, Shanahan announced that Kirk Cousins would be the starting quarterback for the remainder of the season. The coach stated he had the full support of Snyder, with reports stating the owner may not have agreed with the benching but felt it was the coach's decision and he should not interfere.
More: Coaches on the hot seat
Yet the decision on whether to fire Shanahan is tied to the expensive contract he was signed to, with the coach set to earn $7 million a year through next season. If Shanahan is fired, he is owed the full remainder of the contract, along with the contracts of any assistant coaches who may be fired along with him. Snyder could be waiting to see if the coach resigns first, which would effectively negate the remaining year of salary from the contract.
The Redskins, 3-10 on the season, will face the Atlanta Falcons at 1 p.m. ET.
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