Redskins say Zorn will remain coach ‘for rest of season and hopefully into the future’

Redskins say Zorn won’t be fired this season

WASHINGTON — The Washington Redskins front office capped a week of high drama Friday with an unexpected vote of confidence in coach Jim Zorn.

“Jim Zorn is the head coach of the Washington Redskins and will be for the rest of this season, and hopefully into the future,” executive vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato said on his radio show on ESPN980,

The news follows a week of rampant speculation over Zorn’s job status that began when the coach was asked to give up his play-calling duties following a 14-6 loss to the previously winless Kansas City Chiefs. Zorn called the move “uncomfortable” and players expressed general concern over the state of the franchise, yet Cerrato and owner Dan Snyder remained silent and allowed the tension to build until Cerrato finally spoke up Friday.

“The frustration is very high, everywhere around here,” Cerrato said. “But the relationships internally within this organization, quite frankly, remain the same.”

The Redskins are 2-4 despite playing one of the weakest schedules in the league over the last five weeks. The offense, overseen by Zorn, has yet to score more than 17 points in a game and has twice failed to score a touchdown at home.

Snyder and Cerrato hired longtime NFL consultant Sherm Lewis 2½ weeks ago as an offensive consultant, and Lewis has now been promoted to play caller for Monday night’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Those moves were seen as an attempt to undermine Zorn, positioning the franchise for a possible coaching change during the upcoming bye week.

Cerrato said he now hoped Zorn’s status is “totally crystal clear.”

“Hopefully we can just concentrate and focus on winning football games,” he said.