On Monday, Joe Gibbs was noncommittal about his future when asked at a news conference. Now we know why.
The Redskins' coach -- who was entering the final year of his five-year, $37.5 million contract -- rejected a two-year extension from owner Daniel Snyder and resigned Tuesday. For Gibbs, it's not about the money. He resigned because the job has taken its toll and he wants to spend more time with his family, especially his 2-year-old grandson Taylor, who was diagnosed with leukemia last year.
Gibbs stunned his coaches at a Tuesday morning staff meeting when he walked in and told them he was stepping down. All season he had been suggesting he was -- at the very least -- going to fulfill his five-year contract to try to turn around the Redskins. But there were signs of his possible departure. Some noted the way he waved to Redskins fans in the season finale against the Cowboys, a win that clinched the team's playoff berth. In chapel service before the Redskins' playoff loss to Seattle, Gibbs was the surprise guest speaker. That worried some members of the Redskins organization.
Nevertheless, it appeared to be business as usual Monday as Gibbs worked with ownership. The coaches expected Gibbs to show up Tuesday morning and map out offseason plans. Instead, he told his coaches he was stepping down, and his family needed him. (Click here for possible Redskins candidates.)
The 2007 season was a drain on Gibbs. Though successful in making the playoffs for the second time in three years, Gibbs and the entire organization paid an emotional price with the tragic death of Sean Taylor. Taylor, a former first-round pick, had a bumpy start in Washington because he was hardheaded and a little rebellious, but he matured into a great player and better person in 2007. Gibbs helped in that process.
The Redskins had two games in a five-day stretch around the time of Taylor's funeral. Gibbs had to be more than a coach to his players then. He also had to be a father figure. He fell back on his deep religious beliefs to get his team through the wake of Taylor's death.
The loss to the Buffalo Bills following Taylor's death was particularly tough on Gibbs. He didn't remember the timeout rules when trying to ice Bills kicker Rian Lindell, receiving a 15-yard penalty after calling a second consecutive timeout, and making it easier for Lindell to kick the winning field goal.
At 5-7, the Redskins' season was in crisis mode, but Gibbs was always at his best when things were at their worst. His Hall of Fame career with the Redskins started with an 0-5 record that had ownership wondering whether he was the right choice. Gibbs won two of three Super Bowl rings during strike years, when teams normally are torn apart and distracted. Despite the loss of starting quarterback Jason Campbell to a knee injury, the Redskins won their final four games this season and made the playoffs.
Gibbs leaves the Redskins a much better team than the one he inherited. He assembled a top coaching staff. He appears to have found a quarterback in Campbell, and he built a strong running game with Clinton Portis. The defense, coached by coordinator Gregg Williams, is solid.
Williams appears to be the leading candidate for the head coaching job. Players like him, and he's grown under the direction of Gibbs. Snyder, who likes big names, may inquire about former Steelers coach Bill Cowher, but Cowher isn't planning on returning until 2009.
Gibbs' four-year stint didn't include a Super Bowl, but he re-established the Redskins as a playoff contender. He committed all of his time to the Redskins. But his priorities have now shifted from his Redskins family to the Gibbs family.
John Clayton, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame writers' wing, is a senior writer for ESPN.com.