One of the NFL’s most valuable franchises received a major reality check today, as the Washington Redskins laid off 20 employees, including their director of player development, John Jefferson.

Washington is worth an estimated $1.5 billion and play in the league’s largest stadium, but the cost of business has pushed the Redskins and several other teams to consider making cuts to staff they deem non-essential. Washington is the first franchise to eliminate this large of a group.

Other posts you may enjoy:

1. Redskins Cleared of Tampering Allegations
2. Update: Redskins cut Suisham, sign Gano
3. Cowher, Redskins not a good match
4. Suisham done in DC? Redskins to look at four kickers
5. Portis done for the year; placed on IR