Written By Madison Williams
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Three of the four NFC head coaches remaining in the 2021-22 NFL playoffs have something in common: They were all on Washington's coaching staff in 2013.
2013 was Washington coach Mike Shanahan's last year in as a head coach in the NFL. The team went 3-13, which was especially a hard blow after winning the NFC East the year before with a 10-6 record.
On that team, Matt LaFleur was the quarterbacks coach, Sean McVay was the tight ends coach and Kyle Shanahan was the offensive coordinator. Now, those three coaches are head coaches of the Packers, Rams and 49ers, respectively.
MORE: Divisional playoff matchups, schedule for AFC & NFC
#TBT to 2013, when Washington's coaching staff included Kyle Shanahan (OC), Matt LaFleur (QBs) and Sean McVay (TEs).
Today, they're three of the four remaining head coaches in the NFC playoff field 😳
Washington has only had two winning records since 2013, and they've won the NFC East twice, including last year before they ultimately lost to the Super Bowl 55 champion Buccaneers. Jay Gruden took over the head coach position in 2014 after Mike Shanahan left until 2019. Bill Callahan coached the team for one season following that, and now Ron Rivera has been coach since 2020.
With Washington missing another post season, the fact that LaFleur, McVay and Shanahan all could've potentially stayed in Washington to coach has resurfaced, especially since these three coaches are in the playoffs.
MORE: NFL playoff picks, predictions for divisional games
These three coaches didn't go directly into head coaching, though. LaFleur worked as a quarterbacks coach with the Falcons before transitioning to offensive coordinator with the Rams and Titans. He became Packers head coach in 2019. McVay stayed with Washington until 2017, but worked as an offensive coordinator for the three seasons prior. He was then named Rams head coach in 2017. Shanahan continued to work as an offensive coordinator with the Browns and then the Falcons before he was hired as the head coach of the 49ers in 2017.
MORE: Sean McVay coaching tree | Mike Shanahan coaching tree
In the divisional round this upcoming weekend, LaFleur will face Shanahan on Saturday night in their matchup. McVay will face the Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon. Washington... well, they will release their new team name on Feb. 2, and then there's next season to look forward to.
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