NFL Rumors: Next Washington Coach Could Be Former Patriots Quarterback

The era of Jay Gruden as Washington Redskins coach is over. With a 0-5 start this NFL season, it was apparent that he would get the pink slim. That came Monday when team owner Daniel Snyder told him to report to him. There was no need to ask what they would talk about. Gruden knew he would be axed.

Even before the meeting, Gruden already took the liberty of cleaning his office at the team's practice facility. When he entered Snyder's office, he was served his walking papers. Taking his place on an interim basis is offensive line coach Bill Callahan.

Gruden said he was not bitter about getting fired. Since being hired back in 2014, he had all the chances to whip the Redskins into an NFL contender. He admits that he failed to get the job done but said that he did put in work contrary to what critics believe.

“I want to make sure that everybody knows that I actually did work,” he said in a report from the Washington Post.

There is no official word on what lies ahead for Gruden.

On the Redskins end, the search for Gruden's successor is on. There is no official word on who it could be although a former New England Patriot has been mentioned. According to Ian Rapoport, Kevin O'Connell is a name to watch. Ironically, it was following Washinton's loss to New England where he got fired. The Patriots defeated the Redksins, 33-7.

O'Connell currently serves as the Redskins offensive coordinator and that talent is what critics feel Washington must not waste. A lot of talented offensive minds have come and gone for the Redskins in the past. Overlooking what the 34-year-old coach can do would be foolish. O'Connell has drawn a comparison to Sean McVay, the current head coach of the Los Angeles Rams.

Nothing is set in stone for now. However, Callahan did say that O'Connell will take over as a full-time play-caller. He is confident that O'Connell will do just fine, NBC Sports reported.

Some feel that the former Pats quarterback could be of better use handling the entire operation. Depending on what Snyder decides, it is the best move O'Connell at the moment. Whether he is given more responsibility depends on how things go for Washington from here.