Redskins contemplating firing Mike Shanahan with cause

After an ESPN report described coach Mike Shanahan and owner Dan Snyder at odds with each other over the handling of quarterback Robert Griffin III, the Redskins are contemplating a way to fire their coach with cause to avoid paying out his contract over the next year, according to a report from The Washington Post.

Over the weekend, it was reported that Shanahan had cleaned out his desk and was ready to quit the team in January as he did not view Snyder's treatment of Griffin in a positive manner for the team. The report stated Griffin received special treatment from Snyder, which Shanahan thought could rub teammates the wrong way.

However, when Griffin tore his ACL in a playoff game against Seattle, he changed his mind about quitting and decided to come back.

The Redskins' brass believes Shanahan is the source of the report's information and would like to part ways with him after the season, the Post report states.

However, if Shanahan doesn't step down, the Redskins will need to prove that he violated the contract with the team over these leaks.

If not, they could be forced to pay Shanahan the $7 million he's owed next year under his contract if he's fired.

One way or the other, it's pretty clear that Shanahan is on his way out of Washington.

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Aaron Wilson covers the Ravens for The Baltimore Sun.

Aaron Wilson
Aaron Wilson covers the NFL for National Football Post, his second stint at the Post. He has previously written for Pro Football Talk and FOX Sports-Scout. Entering his 13th year covering the Baltimore Ravens, he's a beat writer for The Baltimore Sun. Wilson has also covered the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans.

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