ESPN is reporting that former Bucs G.M. Bruce Allen has been hired by Washington owner Daniel Snyder to serve as the Redskins G.M. and executive vice president. Allen was fired along with coach Jon Gruden on Jan. 16. The Glazers will likely be off the hook for Allen's salary, which was guaranteed through 2011.

The Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Bruce Allen was hired by the Redskins on Thursday to fill the same position in Washington in addition to serving as the Redskins' executive vice president. Allen was the Bucs general manager from 2004-2008 after being a senior assistant with the Oakland Raiders.

Allen grew up in the Washington area while his father worked for the Redskins organization. Hall of Famer George Allen coached the Redskins in the 1970's and led them to a Super Bowl appearance. Allen replaces Redskins executive Vinny Cerrato, who resigned on December 17.

With Allen taking a job in Washington, the Bucs owners, the Glazer family, likely will be off the hook for having to pay Allen for the remaining two seasons he was under contract for prior to being fired. It is believed that Allen was making $2 million per year.

Allen, along with head coach Jon Gruden, was given a three-year contract extension in January of 2008 after the Bucs won the NFC South Division in the 2007 season.

On January 16, 2009 Allen and Gruden were fired after a 9-7 season ended in an 0-4 December finish. Gruden currently works for ESPN as a color commentator on Monday Night Football, but could be pursued by Snyder and Allen to coach the Redskins. Gruden and Allen worked together in Oakland from 1998-2001 and in Tampa Bay from 2004-08.

It is a widely held belief that current head coach Jim Zorn will be fired at the end of the season. After going 8-8 in 2008, the Redskins are 4-9 this season.

If Gruden lands an NFL coaching job in 2010, that would free up approximately $8 million worth of salary obligations that the Glazers owe Gruden for the next two years as long as Gruden would make at least $4 million per year in compensation from Washington or another NFL team.