2017 Washington Redskins

The 2017 Washington Redskins season was the franchise's 85th season in the National Football League and the fourth under head coach Jay Gruden. The Redskins lost seven of the final twelve games after exiting the Week 5 bye with a 2-2 start, failed to improve on their 8–7–1 record from the previous season, and were mathematically eliminated from the playoffs after losing to the Chargers. This was likely due to the abundance of injuries at key positions and one of the league's toughest schedules.

In Week 2, the Redskins played the Rams in Los Angeles for the first time in 23 years. It was also their first game in the L.A. Coliseum in 28 years. Washington got their first win in the Coliseum in 43 years.

This marked an estimated number of times an opponent a team loses their season opener to (the Philadelphia Eagles) wins the Super Bowl. Also, this was the last of five seasons that quarterback Kirk Cousins was on the roster, as he would join the Minnesota Vikings in the following offseason.

Organizational changes
On January 6, the Redskins fired defensive coordinator Joe Barry, secondary coach Perry Fewell, defensive line coach Robb Akey, and strength and conditioning coach Mike Clark.

General Manager Scot McCloughan was fired on March 9.

Acquisitions
The first transactions of the year occurred shortly after the conclusion of the 2016 regular season on January 2, 2017, when the Redskins signed defensive lineman A. J. Francis and Joey Mbu, wide receiver Matt Hazel and Kendal Thompson, linebacker Rufus Johnson, offensive lineman Ronald Patrick, defensive back Shak Randolph, tight end Wes Saxton, and offensive tackle Isaiah Williams.

On January 5, the Redskins signed safety Earl Wolff to a reserve/future contract. On January 6, they signed nose tackle Phil Taylor, and linebackers Khairi Fortt and Pete Robertson to reserve/future contracts.

Draft
Notes
 * The Redskins swapped 1st round picks in 2016 with the Houston Texans and acquired a second 6th round pick (No. 209th overall) this year. The Redskins also traded their 4th round pick in 2016 to the New Orleans Saints and received a 5th round pick in 2016 and 5th round pick (No. 154th overall) this year. Lastly, the Redskins swapped their 5th round pick from 2016 for the 4th round pick (No. 114th overall) this year from the New York Jets.

Schedule
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Week 1: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
With the loss, the Redskins began the season 0-1. The team has now gone 5 consecutive seasons without winning their season opener. They also have their 5-game winning streak against the Eagles snapped.

Week 2: at Los Angeles Rams
Thanks to a 220-yard day from the running game, Cousins's late touchdown pass to Ryan Grant and a late interception by Mason Foster, the Redskins started the season 1-1 for the first time since 2015.

Week 7: at Philadelphia Eagles
With the loss, the Redskins fell 3-3 and were swept by the Philadelphia Eagles for the first time since 2013.

Week 11: at New Orleans Saints
The Redskins suffered a loss to the Saints after going up 31–16 with 5:58 remaining in the fourth quarter. In under three minutes Drew Brees and the Saints offense rallied back to tie the game 31–31 with 1:05 left in the fourth. In overtime, Saint's kicker Wil Lutz kicked the game-winning field goal from 28 yards away, handing the Redskins their most devastating loss of the season.

Week 12: vs. New York Giants
NFL on Thanksgiving Day

Week 14: at Los Angeles Chargers
With the loss, the Redskins are out of the playoffs for the second time in a row.