Washington Redskins: What’s Going On with Scot McCloughan?

Washington Redskins general manager Scot McCloughan is not at the NFL Scouting Combine. What’s his future in D.C.?

A tumultuous offseason for the Washington Redskins took another strange turn this week, as Chris Russell of DC’s 106.7 The Fan reported that general manager Scot McCloughan would not be a part of the team’s contingent at the NFL Scouting Combine, which kicked off Thursday.

Furthermore, Russell said McCloughan was sent home on Feb. 20 and hasn’t been back at the facility since.

While Russell stands by his report, a woman alleging to be McCloughan’s wife, Jessica, took to Twitter to refute Russell’s report. Mike Jones of the Washington Post, spoke with McCloughan’s agent and was told he was not at the Combine due to the death of his grandmother.

These conflicting reports come on top of Chris Cooley’s speculation on the team-owned radio network two weeks prior that McCloughan could be drinking again and that’s why team president Bruce Allen was keeping him from talking to the press. All of this occurs at one of the most important times on the NFL calendar.

The Combine, which some top talent evaluators enjoy due to the access to players, is thought to be an event where the top decision-makers on each team converge to not only watch the top collegiate players, but to talk with representatives of pending free agents. The Redskins have several important free agents that include quarterback Kirk Cousins (though he’s been tagged), wide receivers Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson, and defensive lineman Chris Baker.

It’s unfair for anyone to speculate about someone’s personal life, especially considering McCloughan’s history. But, it’s important to realize how pivotal this offseason and draft is for the Redskins. The team lost offensive coordinator Sean McVay to the Los Angeles Rams and there’s constant public debate about the future of Cousins. And the general manager isn’t at the Combine? McCloughan won’t be involved in the interviews of college players? 

For an old-school scout like McCloughan, this is his favorite time. While he prefers game tape to the Combine workouts, he loves the face time with college players. It’s how he identifies who loves the game and who fits what he’s looking for in a football player. 

When exactly will McCloughan return to day-to-day activities at Redskins Park? According to team president Bruce Allen, it could be next week per Mark Maske of the Washington Post:

McCloughan is an important piece of the puzzle for the Redskins. He is one of the best in the league at procuring talent. In his two seasons with Washington, the Redskins have won a combined 17 games. That’s after winning seven games in the seasons prior.

Next: Washington Redskins 7-Round Mock Draft

In the end, Allen, owner Daniel Snyder and the Redskins need McCloughan. Regardless of the reason for his absence, it’s best for all parties if McCloughan gets back to work and focuses on the 2017 NFL Draft. That’s his bread-and-butter and Washington could soon have several more holes to fill.