Mike Shanahan on Dan Snyder's interest in franchise QB: 'Dan [couldn't] care less about the other positions'

Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan said he speaks to team owner Dan Snyder only about the quarterback. (The Washington Post/Getty Images)

Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan told the media Wednesday that team owner Dan Snyder "could care less" about other positions on the team and that he's only interested in quarterbacks for the Redskins.

Shanahan addressed questions from the media on Wednesday the same day quarterbacks Robert Griffin III and Kirk Cousins also held a press conference amid news today that RGIII would be shut down for the season and be replaced by Cousins. Shanahan offered up a nugget when asked just how interested Snyder is in the team beyond who will be the franchise QB, telling reporters, "Dan [couldn't] care less about the other positions."

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In explaining his recent conversations with Snyder, Shanahan said he speaks with the owner only about the quarterback position.

"I talked to Dan Snyder about a week ago, talked to him about the amount of hits Robert has had. Any time you’ve been hit as many times as he’s been hit, I thought it was in his best interests, and the organization, to talk about whether we should continue playing Robert if he’s been hit as much as he’s been hit."

Griffin, currently in his second season in the NFL, has been sacked 38 times this year, including 24 times in the past five games:

Shanahan remains on the hot seat as the Redskins (3-10) enter their final three weeks of play.

Griffin said he told Shanahan that he wants to play but said he can't challenge the authority and thus will not question Shanahan's decision. RGIII added that he has not spoken with Snyder about Shanahan's decision to shut him down for the season. Cousins praised Griffin on Wednesday for having "taken the high road" and remaining positive despite the news.