Joe Gibbs has never wavered from comments made a year ago, intending to fulfill the final year of his five-year contract. Now he’s open to the possibility of coaching even longer.
But Gibbs did not want to address a rumor that he’d been offered a two-year extension by owner Dan Snyder.
“I have nothing to add in that area,” Gibbs said. “I don’t want to start down that road because I really don’t have anything to add. Every time I do, it brings up a bunch of other stuff. I don’t want to talk about it. I don’t want other people to talk about it. I want to focus on what we’re doing.”
However, last week he said of an extension, “I’m sure that will be something Dan and I kind of go over. I think that happens quite often, when you’ve got a year left. That’s what we’ve done in the past, you re-up before the last year is over with.
“We will talk it over at some point.”
Gibbs, who turned 67 last month and is the oldest head coach in the NFL, has maintained all season that he intends to return. Still, questions persist about those intentions. After Sean Taylor was killed last month, Gibbs talked about spending time with his grand kids. One person who knows Gibbs well said to “pay attention to that comment. Joe doesn’t say anything without thinking about it.”
Gibbs has guided the Redskins through a difficult season, filled with tragedy and injuries.
In addition to Taylor’s absence, five key starters will end the season on injured reserve. A host of others have battled nagging injuries, much like what every team endures.
Still, at 7-7, the Redskins have a chance to make the postseason. If Minnesota won its game over Chicago last night, the Vikings could eliminate Washington with a win over the Redskins on Sunday. The Redskins could sneak in at 8-8, but would need lots of help.
“There’s been so much emotional turmoil going on and for us to stick together and get wins the last two weeks shows a lot about our team,” running back Ladell Betts said.
One veteran said players like Gibbs as a coach and want him to return. But Gibbs is not focusing on his future.
“All that stuff takes place in the offseason,” Gibbs said. “The focus is on beating Minnesota.”
