Washington Commanders

Redskins GM: 'We're not gonna be the best team out there'

Published Aug. 11, 2015 1:50 p.m. ET

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Washington Redskins general manager Scot McCloughan was brutally realistic when assessing the team’s chances of success in the upcoming 2015 NFL season. In fact, the first-year GM openly acknowledged that it’s very likely the Redskins will struggle.

McCloughan, appearing Monday on SiriusXM NFL Radio with Jim Miller and Pat Kirwan, appears to be sticking with his plan of honesty, candor and forthrightness when addressing the team’s current state and what needs to be done to turn around the organization.

“You know what, we’re not gonna be the best team out there this year,” McCloughan said, via D.C. Sports Bog’s Dan Steinberg. “But the one thing that I emphasized — and I told them in the opening meeting — was listen, I want us to compete every day: on the field and off the field. Find a way to make yourself a better player, and a better person. And I think we’ve done that so far. We’ve got a ways to go, but we’re going in the right direction. We’re taking small steps; we’re going in the right direction.”

McCloughan made a name for himself during stints with the Seattle Seahawks, where he served from 2000-04 as Director of College Scouting.

He then moved on to the San Francisco 49ers, serving as the team’s VP of Player Personnel from 2005-07 before assuming general manager duties from 2008-09. He then returned to the Seahawks as a Senior Personnel Executive until April 2014.

McCloughan said his experiences in helping build championship-caliber teams will help shape how he plans to mold the Redskins organization, specifically how bringing in high-priced, veteran free agents will not be how he approaches improving the roster. Still, developing one’s own talent is the best approach.

“My plan is when it’s all said and done — like we did in Seattle, like we did in San Fran — is draft very well, identify who your guys are and re-sign ’em,” he said.

Redskins fans may not particularly love the sobering perspective, but the truth often hurts. And it’s better than halfhearted assurances the team will improve only to be left disappointed in the end.

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