Dan Snyder won't intervene with RG III

ByJOHN KEIM
December 10, 2013, 3:13 PM

— -- Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder will not intervene in coach Mike Shanahan's decision regarding Robert Griffin III and whether the star quarterback will sit out the final three games this season, a team source confirmed Tuesday to ESPN.com.

Shanahan raised the possibility Monday of benching Griffin for the last three games, citing 24 sacks in the past five games and the desire to keep him healthy for the offseason.

Shanahan had been clear before Sunday that Griffin needed as many reps as possible to compensate for missing an entire offseason while rehabbing his surgically repaired right knee. Coaches have said numerous times that the rehab set Griffin back for 2013.

Second-year quarterback Kirk Cousins would take over for Griffin if Shanahan decides to shut down the former Heisman Trophy winner.

The coach said he would make a decision by Wednesday. The Washington Post reported earlier Tuesday that Snyder would not intervene in any such move.

Shanahan, whose job security has been a topic of widespread scrutiny, said Monday he spoke with Snyder that morning, and that if he does switch quarterbacks, he'd discuss it first with the owner.

As for Shanahan's future with the Redskins, team sources said Tuesday that everything is "status quo." His status for next season entering last weekend was questionable. It was downgraded to doubtful after an ESPN.com report Sunday detailing his displeasure over the nature of the Griffin-Snyder relationship.

Washington was trounced 45-10 by the Kansas City Chiefs later Sunday, a loss which followed a number of stories in recent weeks discussing the nature of Shanahan's relationship with Griffin as well as that of his son, offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, and Griffin.

Sunday's events led to Snyder contemplating his options regarding Shanahan. One team source described Snyder as bewildered by the original report. And it was clear that Snyder had no intention before this point of firing Shanahan before the end of the season.

Shanahan has one year and $7 million left on his contract. The Redskins are 24-37 under Shanahan and clinched their third double-digit loss season in his four years as coach.