Joe Gibbs’ future in Washington is now in doubt. For the first time, Gibbs left open the possibility that he would not coach the Redskins next season.
Gibbs said he was going to meet with owner Dan Snyder last night to discuss his future. He did not say whether that meant a contract extension or if he was going to retire with one year left on his original five-year deal, or stay on as president but not coach.
“We’ll start on it hot and heavy,” said Gibbs, who is 31-36, including playoffs, since his return with two postseason appearances. “Everybody’s situation is taken into context here, including mine and my future here. Each year you sit down and talk about it. We’ll go fast because we know time is real important about this.”
Gibbs, 67, said he’s not backing off his stance that he intends to return next season. But he also would not say if he wanted to return or not. He visited his entire family in North Carolina Sunday, partly to talk about his future, before returning Monday. Gibbs said his status should be finalized within a week.
Gibbs also left open the possibility that if Todd Collins is re-signed, he could compete with Jason Campbell for the starting quarterback job this summer.
One offensive assistant said recently that he expected Gibbs to return. Others agreed, saying there’s been no loss of desire by Gibbs.
“I’ve not seen any of that at all,” Redskins assistant head coach/defense Gregg Williams said. “That man is driven.”
“I’ll be shocked if he’s not back,” center Casey Rabach said.
Williams would be a candidate for the Redskins job if Gibbs retired. Gibbs could also be looking for security for his assistants, some of whom have one year left on their contracts.
Gibbs also has talked more often about his desire to spend time with his family, particularly his grandkids, one of whom, Taylor, is undergoing treatment for leukemia.
When discussing Philadelphia coach Andy Reid’s situation in which both his sons were arrested, Gibbs talked about the demands of the job and his regret at not having spent more time with his sons.
On the day Sean Taylor died, Gibbs talked about balancing life and football and again mentioned his grandkids and the fragility of life.
After that day, one person who knows him well said, “Pay attention to that statement. Joe doesn’t say anything without thinking about it.”
Redskins note
» Gibbs said linebacker Rocky McIntosh, who had reconstructive surgery on his knee last month, would be ready for the start of the season.
