This is the second part of a two-part series on what may have happened if Dan Snyder never bought the Redskins. Here is the link to go back and read Part One.
Dan Snyder’s Washington Redskins have faced much scrutiny since he bought the team in 1999. However, the heat has really been on since after starting quarterback, Alex Smith, suffered a gruesome broken leg in a mid-November home date versus the Houston Texans. Since then, the Redskins have seen an outcry from the fans condemning signings, such as Reuben Foster, and releases such as D.J. Swearinger. To make matters worse, with the dismissal of executives, such as Brian LaFemina, has put into serious question the infrastructure of the team and its ability to present itself as a competent football operation. In light of recent events, we have been taking a look into an alternate reality of what would things be like for the Redskins, had someone else bought them. The Sam Grossman purchase was the easier fantasy to draw up since that scenario included Joe Gibbs running the show, only being away from the team for seven years. Not many people recall the circumstances that lead to the rescinding of the Milstein’s offer. Milstein’s rejected bid was for $803 million dollars, the richest offer for a sports franchise in history up until that point. Long story short, the owners did not have much faith in his bid and on the flip side, Milstein believed the Cooke family and Charley Casserly were looking to sabotage his bid and keep the team for the estate.
Howard Milstein Buys the Redskins
Howard Milstein navigated a tumultuous bidding process and won over the rights to the Washington Redskins football franchise. He outlasted Sam Grossman, with partner Joe Gibbs, and former bid partner Daniel Snyder with an approved bid of $803 million dollars, the most ever paid for a sports franchise.
The first thing Milstein does is fire Charley Casserly. Milstein already bore a hefty amount of distrust for Casserly so this move was inevitable. An effort to find a GM was put in place. After six seasons with no playoff appearances, Milstein was determined to inject some young blood into the franchise with a commitment to winning and winning as soon as possible. A young candidate goes by the name John Schnieder. Schnieder has had stops in Green Bay, Kansas City, and Seattle. Many of those who are connected feel highly about Schnieder. Milstein hires Schnieder to run the team’s day-to-day football operations. Schnieder retains Norv Turner. Lost in the shuffle of a new team owner and new GM, Trent Green leaves in free agency. Rich Gannon comes back to Washington as a free agent to play quarterback. The backfield has Stephen Davis and veteran Brian Mitchell. The defense is anchored by defensive ends Dan Wilkinson and Dana Stubblefield and the ageless wonder Darrell Green in the secondary. In the 1999 NFL Draft, the Redskins select Champ Bailey to sure up the Redskins secondary. The Redskins surprised most experts winning their division and going all the way to the Championship game versus the St. Louis Rams who would eventually become the Super Bowl Champion.
After going 6-10 in the 2002 season and Schnieder decided to move one from Norv Turner, despite going to the Championship game the year three seasons prior. Schnieder would hire former Jacksonville Jaguar head coach Tom Coughlin. The move would be a good one that set winning and “no games” mentality. The team would always be in contention for the division and never had a record less than 9-7.
The Redskins since the sale to Howard Milstein would not see a Super Bowl win but the fanbase would be thrilled every season with a team that competed and always had a shot.
