The 2008 season was the Washington Redskins' 77th in the National Football League (NFL) and their first under head coach Jim Zorn.
They failed to improve upon their 9–7 record from 2007 and finished with an 8–8 record despite starting the season 6–2. In addition to their regular games with NFC East rivals, the Redskins played teams from the NFC West and AFC North as per the schedule rotation, and also played intraconference games against the Detroit Lions and the New Orleans Saints based on divisional positions from 2007.
Offseason
The 2008 offseason opened with the announcement on January 8, 2008 of the retirement of head coach Joe Gibbs. The Redskins immediately began a national search for a new head coach. On January 25, 2008, Jim Zorn was hired as offensive coordinator. The following day, associate head coach Al Saunders and assistant head coach Gregg Williams were fired and Greg Blache was named defensive coordinator. On February 9, Jim Zorn was hired to be head coach. On February 15, Sherman Smith, the former running backs coach for the Tennessee Titans, was hired as an offensive coordinator.
Key departures
On February 26, 2008, the Redskins released WR Brandon Lloyd. Lloyd later signed with the Chicago Bears.
Mark Brunell, Reche Caldwell, Rick DeMulling, Randall Godfrey, Brian Kozlowski, David Macklin, Keenan McCardell, Pierson Prioleau, Mike Pucillo, and Omar Stoutmire were free agents and not re-signed by the Redskins.
On August 30, the Redskins released veterans Ryan Boschetti (DT), Derrick Frost (P), and Todd Wade (OT) .
Key additions
On May 27, 2008, the Redskins traded a conditional 2009 seventh-round draft pick to the Minnesota Vikings for DE Erasmus James. According to the terms of the deal, James must play in at least one regular season game in order for the Vikings to receive the draft pick.
On July 20, 2008, the Redskins traded a 2009 second-round draft pick and a 2010 sixth-round draft pick to the Miami Dolphins for DE Jason Taylor.
On November 6, 2008, the Redskins signed cornerback DeAngelo Hall to a one-year contract.
Free agents heading into the 2008 season
2008 NFL Draft
The Redskins traded their #21 (1st round), #84 (3rd round), and #154 (5th round) selections to the Atlanta Falcons for their #34 (2nd round), #48 (2nd round), and #103 (4th round) selections. They then traded their #103 selection to the Tennessee Titans for their #124 (4th round) and #157 (5th round) selections. Lastly, they traded their #157 and #228 (7th round) selections to the St. Louis Rams for their #168 (6th round) and #180 (6th round) selections.
Roster
Preseason
Schedule
Hall of Fame Game vs. Indianapolis Colts
Washington started the game on a high note when they recovered a surprise onside kick by the Colts. Three plays later, quarterback Jason Campbell threw a touchdown pass to Antwaan Randle El and gave the Redskins a 7–0 lead. The Colts responded on their own drive which ended in a field goal by K Adam Vinatieri. In the second quarter, Colts C Jamey Richard snapped the ball over the head of the QB and it sailed out of the endzone for a safety. Later in the quarter, the Colts scored a touchdown when QB Quinn Gray threw a 30-yard pass to WR Onrea Jones. After a missed field goal attempt by Shaun Suisham, the Colts were able to end the first half with a field goal of their own making the halftime score Colts 13 – Redskins 10. The Colts received the ball following halftime and marched down the field to score another field goal. The Redskins responded with a drive resulting in a 20-yard touchdown pass from QB Colt Brennan to WR Maurice Mann. The Redskins were able to follow up with another touchdown drive when Brennan hit RB Marcus Mason on a 5-yard pass. After the Colts got the ball back a couple of series later, QB Jared Lorenzen threw an interception to Redskins CB Matteral Richardson who took it back for a touchdown and sealed the victory for the Redskins. The Redskins had two former players, WR Art Monk and CB Darrell Green, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.