Jay Gruden: “Colin Kaepernick has been discussed”

It couldn’t be worse for the Washington Redskins than it now. Starting quarterback injured, his replacement injured, three losses in a row, tough schedule. Everything is against them.

When most of the people thought that the DC-based franchise is going to flourish, an opposite thing happened. Thee weeks ago they were at the top of the NFC East, and heading for the playoffs. Now, they have to fight to survive.

After Smith’s and Colt McCoy’s injuries, Washington’s offense was solely up top Mark Sanchez. Now many people were wondering about Colin Kaepernick, who is still without a team. Is he good enough to come to the Redskins?

Coach Jay Gruden stated yesterday that the controversial quarterback was one of the potential candidates for the job.

“He’s been discussed for sure,” Gruden said. “It’s just going to be a matter of which way you want to go.”

Gruden explained to the reporters that Kaepernick has excellent qualities, but his style of play simply isn’t suitable for the Redskins.

Jay Gruden laid out football reasons why they didn't pursue Colin Kaepernick.

He said the Redskins didn't want to change the overall style of the offense. pic.twitter.com/nx9WfgGvDS

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) December 4, 2018

“He’s been talked about and discussed, but we’ll probably go a different direction. I think when you’re talking about bringing a quarterback in, I think you have to think of, A, what is that quarterback’s skill set?” Gruden said. “B, how can you implement that skillset to fit your offense without having wholesale changes?”

According to Gruden, Kaepernick’s game is not fitting for Washington, as they wanted someone who is willing to pass more than to run.

Just to make it clear, he strongly denied that his decision was based on off-field activities the controversial quarterback had.

“Just football, strictly football,” Gruden said when asked did he took into consideration Kaepernick’s kneeling protest when deciding not to sign him.

The former 49er is still without a job, as he claims that the owners of the NFL franchises don’t want him in his teams because of his political views and protests. Some of the reporters thought that this might have been the reason for signing Mark Sanchez instead of him.

Gruden explained that they went with Sanches for many reasons.

“Sanchez had experience in a pro-style offense. That helped out a lot.” he stated “But when we had a short week going to Dallas [on Thanksgiving] you had to have someone in here who had some similar conceptual awareness that we had with Colt. That’s why we went with Sanchez.”

It is not only that, but Mark Sanchez has many ties with the current Redskins’ coaching staff. Kevin O’Connell who is currently the passing game coordinator and quarterback coach played with the veteran QB in New York.

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Matt Cavanaugh, the Redskins offensive coordinator, coached Sanchez when playing for the Jets, and he knows the possibilities of the player better than anyone.

Also, Bill Callahan who is Gruden’s assistant was offensive line coach and assistant head coach in New York when Sanchez led Jets’ offense.

And really when looking all these connections current Redskins’ staff had with Sanchez, it is logical to see him in DC.

Washington’s head coach also said that Colt McCoy might be back until the end of the season. McCoy had surgery in order to fix his fibula, and according to Gruden he might be back for the last game of the season against Philadelphia

Currently, Redskins have 6 wins and losses, but they have a negative run of three straight defeats, five in the last six events, latest one against the Eagles’ on Monday Night Football.

Next week they host the New York Giants, in what might be the game of the season for them. After that Redskins travel to Jacksonville and Tennessee, and close the season against the champions, Eagles at home.

Playoff hopes are still alive for Washington, but after all the problems they have encountered with, many fans believe that they don’t have the strength to deal with them anymore.

We will see how things develop in the next few weeks.