But owner Dan Snyder desperately needs Allen to negotiate a stadium deal in coming years. Allen might save Snyder hundreds of millions of dollars on a new venue that will cost at least $2 billion to build and is expected to open by 2027.

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That alone makes Allen invaluable to Snyder.

Allen is a gregarious deal-maker who’s comfortable with Virginia legislators. His brother George was governor from 1994-98, and Bruce can work a room like a true politician with jokes and handshakes. Snyder is the opposite, an introvert who prefers balance sheets to bargaining.

Without Allen, Snyder would have to hire pushy lawyers and lobbyists who would try to intimidate lawmakers in either Virginia, Maryland or the District to overpay for housing a new stadium. Former Redskins owner Jack Kent Cooke struggled to do that, and the “Billionaire Bully” was one of the last local power barons not working in politics.

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Snyder can’t bully legislators into nine-figure concessions. He needs an insider like Allen who can work out a deal. It would be nice if Allen would concede football duties to focus solely on the stadium. But Allen likes being involved.

There is some benefit to Allen serving as a buffer between Snyder and the football operation. Allen’s predecessor Vinny Cerrato simply carried out Snyder’s wishes, and the club crumpled. It took a full fan revolt and half-empty stadiums for Snyder to fire Cerrato.

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Under Allen, the Redskins’ days of free-spending and compulsive decision-making have largely ended. Allen’s conservative approach insulates Snyder from expensive mistakes. But Allen’s cautious nature led to his biggest mistake, lowballing Cousins and getting cornered into two years of franchise tag deals that add up to $44 million. Another tag for Cousins would cost $34 million next year, and a long-term agreement looks increasingly unlikely.

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After being fired in February, McCloughan is seeking fulfillment of his contract in a Dec. 18 arbitration hearing that could reveal embarrassing details about Snyder and Allen from Redskins Park.

Still, Snyder needs Allen for the stadium deal, and both sides know it. Maybe Snyder will publicly downsize Allen’s role, but that’s doubtful.

For now, Allen remains in control.

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