The 1985 season was one of major transition for the Redskins. It would see George Rogers phase into John Riggins' power back role, and the end of Joe Theismann's career after an infamous sack by Lawrence Taylor.

The team got off to its worst start since 1981, going 1-3 in a stretch that included blowout losses to Dallas and Chicago. They would be up and down for weeks afterwards, going into a key Monday night game against NY at 5-5. Theismann went down in the 2nd quarter with a gruesome broken leg, but his replacement, Jay Schroeder stepped in and seemed to ignite the offense. The Skins would finish 5-1 behind Schroeder's strong arm, and Gary Clark emerged as a valuable complement to Monk during this stretch.

Although the new lineup was showing promise, the early season struggles and a poor division record would leave the Redskins out of the playoffs for the first time since 1982.