Washington Redskins sign head coach Jay Gruden to a contract extension

For the first time since he bought the Washington Redskins in 1999. Team owner Dan Snyder has given his head coach a contract extension. This is a reward that comes after the Redskins had back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 1997. The extension for Jay Gruden is for two years and keeps him with the Redskins until 2020.

Washington Redskins streak of mediocrity

It has to be tough for Washington Redskins fans to know that their beloved franchise has not had two winning seasons in a row since Dan Snyder bought the team until last season. The Redskins started to play back in 1932 and have won three Super Bowl titles, the most recent in 1991. They have made it to the playoffs 24 times, but have only been five times in the 17 years that Snyder has owned the team. Jay Gruden led them to the NFC East title in 2015, only the third for Washington since Snyder bought the team.

The Redskins head coaching carousel

It is easy to see why the Washington Redskins struggled through the Dan Snyder era.

In his first season as owner, Norv Turner made it to the playoffs. In the second, they finished 8-8, and he fired Turner. Snyder hired Marty Schottenheimer and fired him after one 8-8 season. Steve Spurrier then came in, and he quit after two seasons. Redskins legend Joe Gibbs then returned to the team in 2004. They went to the playoffs in two of his four seasons, and then he retired. Jim Zorn came in 2008 and was fired after two seasons. Mike Shanahan joined the team in 2010, and he was fired after four seasons. Now, Jay Gruden has been with the team for three seasons.

Redskins questions under Jay Gruden

If the Washington Redskins want to finish a third winning season under Jay Gruden, they need to solve some major problems.

The biggest problem comes with starting quarterback Kirk Cousins. The Redskins didn't want to sign him to a long-term deal last year and hit him with the franchise tag. After two winning seasons, Cousins is as responsible as Gruden, but Washington used the franchise tag again. If they don't come to an agreement before the season starts, they will either have to trade him, or they will lose him in 2018. Breaking in a new quarterback isn't what the Redskins want, but Dan Snyder is giving Gruden the contract extension makes it seem like he trusts his head coach.