The 2009 season was the Washington Redskins' 78th in the National Football League (NFL) and their second and final under head coach Jim Zorn. During the season, long-time general manager Vinny Cerrato resigned on December 17, 2009, and the team hired Bruce Allen before their week 15 game at home on Monday Night Football against the New York Giants.
They failed to improve upon their 8–8 record from 2008 and finished with a 4–12 record, their worst record since 2003, which resulted in Jim Zorn being fired after two seasons. He would be replaced by Mike Shanahan the following season.
As of 2024, the only remaining active member of the 2009 Washington Redskins is Graham Gano, who most recently was a member of the New York Giants.
Players
Transactions
The Redskins released linebacker Marcus Washington on February 20, 2009. On February 27, the first day of 2009 free agency, the Redskins made four personnel moves. Five hours into the new free agency period, the team signed a seven-year, $100 million contract with unrestricted free agent, Albert Haynesworth, who spent the first seven seasons of his career playing defensive tackle for the Tennessee Titans. The deal included $41 million guaranteed and could have reached as much as $115 million, based on performance. The Titans requested for the NFL to look into claims that Redskins management tampered with Haynesworth by beginning negotiations with him prior to the start of the free agent period. The Redskins also released cornerback Shawn Springs; agreed to terms with former Buffalo guard (and previous Redskin) Derrick Dockery on a five-year, $26 million contract with $8.2 million in guaranteed money; and agreed with unrestricted free agent DeAngelo Hall on a new six-year, $54 million contract. Hall's new deal contained $23 million in guaranteed money and had a maximum value of $55 million. Hall and Dockery formally signed their contracts on March 3, 2009.
On March 2, 2009, the Redskins released defensive end Jason Taylor after he refused to add a clause to his contract that would have required him to participate in the team's off-season workout program. In the wake of Taylor's release the Redskins re-signed defensive end Phillip Daniels, who had started at left end before a 2008 ACL tear on the first day of training camp led to Taylor's acquisition, and brought back Renaldo Wynn, who had played defensive end for the Redskins between 2002 and 2006. Wynn and Daniels signed one-year, minimum deals on March 24 and April 2, respectively.
In late March and early April 2009, Redskins officials attempted to include starting quarterback Jason Campbell in a trade to acquire Denver Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler; they also attempted to trade Campbell to at least one other team for a second-round pick in the 2009 NFL draft. After Cutler was traded to the Chicago Bears on April 2, Redskins head coach Jim Zorn publicly re-asserted his commitment to Campbell.
On December 17 the team announced the hiring of Bruce Allen as executive vice president of operations and general manager, replacing Vinny Cerrato who resigned on the same day, on December 17, 2009. Allen is the son of former Redskins head coach (1971–77) George Herbert Allen and brother of former Virginia Governor and U.S. Senator George Felix Allen.
Free agents in 2009 RFA: Restricted free-agent, UFA: Unrestricted free-agent, ERFA: Exclusive rights free agent Position Player Free agencytag Date signed 2009 team RB Shaun Alexander Released DT Ryan Boschetti UFA April 2 Oakland Raiders LB Khary Campbell UFA DE Phillip Daniels UFA April 2 Washington Redskins FS Reed Doughty UFA March 11 Washington Redskins DE Demetric Evans UFA March 4 San Francisco 49ers OG Jason Fabini UFA LB Alfred Fincher UFA March 10 Washington Redskins C Justin Geisinger UFA May 1 Carolina Panthers DE Kedric Golston RFA April 10 Washington Redskins S Mike Green UFA CB DeAngelo Hall UFA February 27 Washington Redskins C Pete Kendall UFA DE Anthony Montgomery RFA March 25 Washington Redskins CB Shawn Springs Released March 5 New England Patriots PK Shaun Suisham RFA March 17 Washington Redskins OLB Jason Taylor Released May 13 Miami Dolphins LB Rian Wallace UFA LB Marcus Washington Released
2009 NFL Draft selections
Washington traded its second-round selection in 2009 (47th overall) and its sixth-round selection in 2010 to Miami for defensive end Jason Taylor on July 20, 2008. Washington traded its fourth-round selection in 2009 to the Jets for guard Pete Kendall on August 23, 2007. The selection changed from a fifth-round selection in 2008 because Kendall played 80 percent of the snaps for the Redskins in 2007. Washington traded a seventh-round selection to Minnesota for defensive end Erasmus James on May 27, 2008. On draft day, Washington traded their original 5th-round selection (150th overall) to the Vikings for the Vikings' 5th-round selection (158th overall) and their seventh-round selection (221st overall) that they originally received from Washington for Erasmus James (see above).
Personnel Staff / Coaches 2009 Washington Redskins staff Front office Owner – Daniel Snyder General Manager / Executive VP of Football Operations: Vinny Cerrato (resigned late in the season) General manager / Executive VP of Football Operations: – Bruce Allen (interim) Director of Football Operations – Paul Kelly Vice president of football administration – Eric Schaffer Director of player personnel – Scott Campbell Director of pro personnel – Morocco Brown
Head coaches Head coach / Quarterbacks – Jim Zorn Assistant head coach / running backs – Stump Mitchell
Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator – Sherman Smith Wide receivers – Stan Hixon Tight ends – Scott Wachenheim Assistant Tight Ends Coach - Bill Khayat Offensive line – Joe Bugel Offensive assistant – Chris Meidt Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Greg Blache Defensive line – John Palmero Linebackers – Kirk Olivadotti Defensive Passing Game Coordinator – Steve Jackson Defensive Quality Control – Chris Garber
Special teams coaches Special teams coordinator – Danny Smith Assistant special teams – Richard Hightower Video Assistant - Bobby Slowik
Strength and conditioning Strength and conditioning – John Hastings Strength and conditioning – Bobby Crumpler Strength and Conditioning Assistant - Harrison Bernstein
Final roster
Schedule
Preseason Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.comrecap 1August 13 at Baltimore Ravens L 0–23 0–1 M&T Bank Stadium Recap 2 August 22 Pittsburgh Steelers W 17–13 1–1 FedExField Recap 3 August 28 New England Patriots L 24–27 1–2FedExField Recap 4 September 3 at Jacksonville Jaguars L 17–24 1–3 Jacksonville Municipal Stadium Recap
Regular season In addition to their regular games with NFC East rivals, the Redskins played teams from the NFC South and AFC West as per the schedule rotation, and also played intraconference games against the Lions and the Rams based on their common divisional position as the Redskins from 2008. Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.comrecap 1 September 13 at New York Giants L 17–23 0–1 Giants Stadium Recap 2 September 20 St. Louis Rams W 9–7 1–1 FedExField Recap 3 September 27 at Detroit Lions L 14–19 1–2 Ford Field Recap 4 October 4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 16–13 2–2 FedExField Recap 5 October 11 at Carolina Panthers L 17–20 2–3 Bank of America Stadium Recap 6 October 18 Kansas City Chiefs L 6–14 2–4 FedExField Recap 7 October 26 Philadelphia Eagles L 17–27 2–5 FedExField Recap 8Bye 9 November 8 at Atlanta Falcons L 17–31 2–6 Georgia Dome Recap 10 November 15 Denver Broncos W 27–17 3–6 FedExField Recap 11 November 22 at Dallas Cowboys L 6–7 3–7 Cowboys Stadium Recap 12 November 29 at Philadelphia Eagles L 24–27 3–8 Lincoln Financial Field Recap 13 December 6 New Orleans Saints L 30–33 3–9 FedExField Recap 14 December 13 at Oakland Raiders W 34–13 4–9 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Recap 15 December 21 New York Giants L 12–45 4–10 FedExField Recap 16 December 27 Dallas Cowboys L 0–17 4–11 FedExField Recap 17 January 3 at San Diego ChargersL 20–23 4–12 Qualcomm Stadium Recap
Standings
Regular season results
Week 1: at New York Giants
The Redskins began their season at Giants Stadium for a Week 1 divisional duel with their NFC East rival, the New York Giants. In the first quarter, Washington trailed early as Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes got a 28-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Redskins' deficit increased as quarterback Eli Manning completed a 30-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Mario Manningham, along with defensive end Osi Umenyiora stripping quarterback Jason Campbell of the ball and returning the fumble 37 yards for a touchdown. Washington would close out the half with punter Hunter Smith getting an 8-yard touchdown run off of a fake field goal.
The Redskins scored in the third quarter as kicker Shaun Suisham got a 27-yard field goal. However, in the fourth quarter, New York answered with Tynes nailing a 45-yard and a 28-yard field goal. Washington tried to rally as Campbell completed a 17-yard touchdown pass to tight end Chris Cooley, but the Giants' defense proved to be too much to overcome.
With the loss, the Redskins began their season at 0–1.
Week 2: vs. St. Louis Rams
The Redskins played their home opener against the St. Louis Rams. Washington scored on a 21-yard field goal in the first quarter and a 28-yard field goal in the second quarter by Shaun Suisham. The Rams would score when quarterback Marc Bulger completed a 2-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Laurent Robinson. In the third quarter, the Redskins regained their lead when Suisham completed a 23-yard field goal.
With the win, the Redskins improved their record to 1–1.
Week 3: at Detroit Lions
The Redskins played the Lions in Detroit. Washington trailed early when Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford completed a 21-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Bryant Johnson. Detroit increased their lead when kicker Jason Hanson completed 39-yard and 26-yard field goals.
The Redskins scored in the third quarter as quarterback Jason Campbell completed a 57-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Santana Moss. In the fourth quarter Lions' running back Maurice Morris got a 2-yard touchdown run. Subsequently, the Lions failed a 2-point conversion attempt. Campbell completed a 4-yard touchdown pass to running back Rock Cartwright late in the game, although the Redskins would ultimately lose.
The Lions snapped a 19-game regular season losing streak with the win.
Week 4: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Redskins played the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their fourth regular season game of the year. Washington fumbled early in the game, giving the Buccaneers possession of the ball at the Redskins' 10-yard line. Tampa Bay scored on quarterback Josh Johnson's 8-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Antonio Bryant in the first quarter. Mike Nugent's 37-yard field goal in the second quarter gave the Buccaneers a 10-point lead.
In the third quarter, the Redskins kicker Shaun Suisham made a 42-yard field goal. Afterwards, Jason Campbell completed a 17-yard touchdown pass to tight end Chris Cooley. The point after was blocked. The Redskins also scored when Campbell threw a 59-yard pass to wide receiver Santana Moss. Nugent successfully kicked a 22-yard field goal in the fourth quarter; setting the final score of Washington 16 to Tampa Bay 13.
Josh Johnson saw his first NFL start. Jason Campbell finished the day with three interceptions and two touchdowns.
Week 5: at Carolina Panthers