Offseason
The Redskins started the offseason by adding a new Quarterbacks Coach, Bill Musgrave. Musgrave was the former offensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars and had worked with quarterback Mark Brunell before. Musgrave added the shotgun formation to Washington's playbook.
During the offseason, the Redskins lost cornerback Fred Smoot and starting linebacker Antonio Pierce to free agency.
The Redskins signed the following free agents: center Casey Rabach, wide receiver David Patten, and strong safety Pierson Prioleau.
The Redskins also traded wide receiver Laveranues Coles to the New York Jets for wide receiver Santana Moss. Most sports writers thought that this was a lopsided deal and that the Redskins were getting the worse end of the trade.
In the 2005 NFL Draft, the Redskins drafted Auburn cornerback Carlos Rogers with the ninth pick. Later in the 1st round, they traded their third round pick in the 2005 draft and their first and fourth round picks in the 2006 draft to the Denver Broncos for the 25th overall pick. With the 25th overall pick, the Redskins selected Auburn quarterback Jason Campbell. The Redskins used their remaining picks to draft UCLA fullback Manuel White, Louisville linebacker Robert McCune, Stanford linebacker Jared Newberry, and Citadel fullback Nehemiah Broughton.
The Redskins finished the 2005 preseason with a record of 1-3, losing to the Carolina Panthers 28-10, losing to the Cincinnati Bengals 24-17, defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 17-10, and losing to the Baltimore Ravens 26-20.
Read more about this topic: 2005 Washington Redskins Season