Yeah, but I think it was more about EJ moving up from 3rd-string than losing Cassel. If EJ got cut or traded before Week 1, everything would've been a lot cleaner... no way that was happening after the Steelers pre-season game though.
He owns everything re: EJ over the past 2 years. The trade-up for Sammy to help EJ, pushing EJ on Marrone and the fighting that resulted, pushing EJ on Rex and the fighting that resulted... DW owns all of that.
9-7 record will be a lot easier to swallow. Still very disappointing, but then you can point to all the injuries and EJ in London over the coaching, much better situation for Pegs.
Could be it then all comes down to if DW does in fact have other opportunities available to him around the league. Why would he sign a lame-duck contract, having to deal with a coach/coaching staff that he doesn't get along with? No-win situation for him. It'd be pretty wild if he pulled a Marrone 1 year later.
The situation is definitely messy. I think Rex has at least 1 more year. Do you give DW a 1-year extension then, and blow it all up after 2016 if things still don't work out?
I think Pegs is still in charge. Brandon being the ultimate yes-man is going to go 100% with whichever way the wind blows.
Would Russ spin a DW departure as a positive though? Absolutely.