The 2007 season was the Washington Redskins' 76th season in the National Football League (NFL). The Redskins finished their regular season with a record of 9–7 and a playoff appearance. This was an improvement over the 2006 season when they went 5–11 and finished last in the NFC East.
Over the course of the season, Washington went 5–3 in home games at FedExField, and 4–4 on the road; they lost 6 of their 7 games by one touchdown or less. After losing to the Seattle Seahawks in the wild card round, Coach Joe Gibbs announced his retirement, thus ending his second stint as head coach of the Redskins. During the season, the tragedy of Sean Taylor's death occurred before a game against the Buffalo Bills. For the first defensive play, they fielded 10 men leaving the usual free safety spot empty to honor Taylor.
Coaching staff Head coach Joe Gibbs entered his fourth year of his second tenure with the Redskins and was the second-to-last year on his existing contract. Gibbs previously coached the Redskins in the 1981–1992 seasons, during which he had won three Super Bowls with the Redskins. On January 8, 2008, three days after the season ended, Gibbs announced his retirement from the position of head coach and president.
The Redskins fired former linebackers coach Dale Lindsey and promoted Kirk Olivadotti to take his job. Olivadotti previously helped coach the defensive line and special teams. The Redskins also added Matthew Shea and Bill Khayat to their coaching staff.
Offseason
Signings On March 2, the Redskins signed London Fletcher, formerly with the Buffalo Bills, to a 5-year, $25 million contract. The deal also includes a $10.5 million signing bonus. On March 3, the Redskins signed Fred Smoot, formerly with the Minnesota Vikings, to a 5-year deal. Smoot was drafted by the Redskins in 2001 and signed with the Vikings in 2005.CB Fred Smoot Returning to Redskins On March 8, the Redskins signed Ross Tucker, formerly with the Cleveland Browns, to an undisclosed contract. On March 21, the Redskins signed Jason Fabini, formerly with the Dallas Cowboys, to an undisclosed contract.Redskins Add Veteran OT Fabini On April 5, the Redskins signed David Macklin, formerly with the Arizona Cardinals, to a 1-year contract.Macklin agrees to 1-year deal with Redskins On June 1, the Redskins signed Jason McAddley, formerly with the San Francisco 49ers, to an undisclosed contract.Redskins Sign WR Jason McAddley On August 21, the Redskins signed Randall Godfrey, formerly with the San Diego Chargers, to an undisclosed contract.Redskins Add Veteran Linebacker Godfrey
Departures On February 22, the Redskins released safety Troy Vincent. On February 28, the Redskins released tight end Christian Fauria. On March 2, Derrick Dockery signed with the Buffalo Bills.Bills Sign Dockery to Seven-Year Deal On March 4, Kenny Wright signed with the Cleveland Browns.Browns, DB Kenny Wright Sign 3-Year Deal On March 7, the Redskins released kicker John Hall. On March 9, T. J. Duckett agreed to terms with the Detroit Lions.Duckett, Lions agree to terms On March 20, Adam Archuleta was traded to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a conditional 6th round draft pick.Bears Trade for Adam Archuleta On March 22, the Redskins released wide receiver David Patten.Patten Released On April 26, Warrick Holdman signed with the Denver Broncos. On August 21, the Redskins released linebacker Lemar Marshall. On September 1, the Redskins released cornerback Ade Jimoh and Defensive end Renaldo Wynn.
Free agents heading into the 2007 season RFA: Restricted free-agent, UFA: Unrestricted free-agent, ERFA: Exclusive rights free agent
Position Player Free agencytag Date signed 2007 team LS Ethan Albright UFA January 12 Washington Redskins DT Ryan Boschetti RFA March 12 Washington Redskins G Derrick Dockery UFA March 2 Buffalo Bills RB T. J. Duckett UFA March 9 Detroit Lions S Vernon Fox UFA March 2 Washington Redskins P Derrick Frost RFA April 2 Washington Redskins LB Warrick Holdman UFA April 26 Denver Broncos TE Brian Kozlowski UFA OT Jim Molinaro RFA March 21 Dallas Cowboys LB Jeff Posey UFA OL Mike Pucillo UFA February 28 Washington Redskins OT Todd Wade UFA March 14 Washington Redskins CB Kenny Wright UFA March 4 Cleveland Browns TE Todd Yoder UFA March 13 Washington Redskins
2007 NFL draft
Roster
Preseason
Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.comrecap 1 at Tennessee Titans W 14–6 1–0 LP Field Recap 2 Pittsburgh Steelers L 10–12 1–1 FedExField Recap 3 Baltimore RavensW 13–7 2–1 FedExField Recap 4 at Jacksonville Jaguars L 14–31 2–2 Jacksonville Municipal Stadium Recap
Week 1: at Tennessee Titans
The Redskins started their first preseason against the Tennessee Titans on the road on August 11. The Redskins defense allowed only six points and caused four fumbles, one of which they recovered. Many were surprised to see the Redskins' Quarterback Jason Campbell play the whole 1st half. Campbell wasn't productive, fumbled twice, and didn't score any touchdowns. The Redskins scored two late touchdowns in the last 1:17 to win the game. Marcus Mason scored a 1-yard rushing touchdown, and Byron Westbrook recovered a fumble in the endzone.GameBook
Week 2: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
In the Redskins' second preseason game, they scored first but not without having a scare first. On their second drive, Quarterbacks Jason Campbell was tackled at the knee while throwing a complete 29-yard pass to tight end Chris Cooley—Campbell hobbled off the field with a bruised knee. Todd Collins took over for Campbell with some early success in the game; he threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Lloyd. The Redskins had four goal-line stands, and only allowed 12 points (four field goals). However, their offense struggled to really got back into the swing of things without Campbell; their only other score of the game was a field goal. The Redskins' sustained some injuries during the game: linebacker Marcus Washington suffered a dislocated elbow, and wide receiver Mike Espy ruptured his tendon and subsequently was out for the season due to the injury. GameBook
Week 3: vs. Baltimore Ravens
Due to severe thunderstorms, the Redskins' third preseason game was shortened at the 11:38 mark in the third quarter. The kickoff was delayed over an hour and the game started at 9:12. The Redskins scored first in the game. Shaun Suisham had two field goals. The Redskins' defense looked great the whole night, only allowing the Ravens to a touchdown. In the third quarter, linebacker Dallas Sartz intercepted a Kyle Boller pass and ran it back for a touchdown. The game ended shortly thereafter. GameBook
Week 4: at Jacksonville Jaguars
The Redskins started their last preseason game strong. The defense forced a 3-and-out on Jacksonville's first drive and the Redskins scored on their first possession. Jason Campbell finished the game with 5 of 5 completions and a touchdown to Antwaan Randle El. Mark Brunell also threw a touchdown pass to Ryan Hoag. Though the Redskins were leading at halftime, they did not score again for the rest of the game. They eventually gave up three more touchdowns as the Jaguars rallied past the Redskins' backups. GameBook
Regular season
Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.comrecap 1 September 9 Miami Dolphins W 16–13 (OT) 1–0 FedExFieldRecap 2 at Philadelphia Eagles W 20–12 2–0 Lincoln Financial FieldRecap 3 September 23 New York Giants L 17–24 2–1 FedExFieldRecap 4 Bye 5 October 7 Detroit Lions W 34–3 3–1 FedExFieldRecap 6 October 14 at Green Bay Packers L 14–17 3–2 Lambeau Field Recap 7 October 21 Arizona Cardinals W 21–19 4–2 FedExFieldRecap 8 October 28 at New England Patriots L 7–52 4–3 Gillette StadiumRecap 9 November 4 at New York Jets W 23–20 (OT) 5–3 The Meadowlands Recap 10 November 11 Philadelphia Eagles L 25–33 5–4 FedExField Recap 11 November 18 at Dallas CowboysL 23–28 5–5 Texas StadiumRecap 12 November 25 at Tampa Bay BuccaneersL 13–19 5–6 Raymond James StadiumRecap 13 December 2 Buffalo BillsL 16–17 5–7 FedExFieldRecap 14 Chicago BearsW 24–16 6–7 FedExFieldRecap 15 December 16 at New York GiantsW 22–10 7–7 Giants StadiumRecap 16 December 23 at Minnesota VikingsW 32–21 8–7 Hubert H. Humphrey MetrodomeRecap 17 December 30 Dallas CowboysW 27–6 9–7 FedExFieldRecap
Standings
Week 1: vs. Miami Dolphins
The Redskins scored the first points of the game when Shaun Suisham kicked a 31-yard field goal in the second quarter. On the last play of the 1st half, Trent Green threw a 1-yard pass to Justin Peelle to claim the lead. The Redskins started the third quarter with Clinton Portis running for a 19-yard touchdown. Miami later answered with a field goal to tie the game. In the 4th quarter, both teams scored a field goal and the game went into overtime. Washington won the coin toss. They ran the ball down to Miami's 22-yard line, and Shaun Suisham made a game-winning 39-yard field goal. Clinton Portis finished the game with 17 carries, 98 yards, and a touchdown. The Redskins lost right tackle Jon Jansen for the year when he fractured his ankle in the second quarter. As of 2025, this is Washington's last win over MiamiGameBook
Week 2: at Philadelphia Eagles
The Redskins' second regular season game, against the Philadelphia Eagles, started off with a Redskins field goal at the end of the first quarter. Less than five minutes into the second quarter, the Eagles scored a field goal to tie the game at 3-3. A few minutes later, the Eagles scored another field goal to take the lead 6–3, the only lead the Eagles produced for the entire game. Just before halftime, Jason Campbell hit Chris Cooley for a touchdown to end the first half up 10–6.
In the third quarter, the Eagles and Redskins both scored another field goal, bringing the score to 13–9 prior to a Redskins drive that began with 1:15 remaining in the third quarter. That eventually led to Clinton Portis running for a six-yard touchdown early in the 4th quarter, bringing the score to 20–9.
The Eagles, with a field goal late in the 4th quarter, were down by 8 as they drove down to the Redskins 9-yard line. The Eagles' drive stalled and they turned the ball over on downs with an incomplete pass. With possession on their own 9-yard line, the Redskins ran out the clock on their way to a victory. The final score was 20–12.
Week 3: vs. New York Giants
In the first quarter, the Redskins trailed early as The New York Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes got a 34-yard field goal. The Redskins took the lead with running back Clinton Portis getting a 1-yard touchdown run. In the second quarter, quarter back Jason Campbell completed an 8-yard touchdown pass to tight end Chris Cooley, while kicker Shaun Suisham made a 47-yard field goal. In the third quarter, Giants running back Reuben Droughns made a 1-yard touchdown run for the only score that quarter. In the fourth quarter, the Giants took the lead with Droughns getting another 1-yard touchdown run, while quarter back Eli Manning completed a 33-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Plaxico Burress. The Redskins managed to get a late-game drive, but it ended up with running back Ladell Betts getting taken down at the Giant's 1-yard line on 4th & Goal.
With the loss, the Redskins fell to 2–1 entering their bye week.
Week 5: vs. Detroit Lions