Defensive coordinator Joe Barry, left, hasn’t been given as much talent to work with as the Redskins’ offensive coaches have. But Washington can’t afford to be fair or prioritize continuity as it heads into the win-big phase of its rebuild. (John McDonnell/The Washington Post)

This column has been updated to reflect news of Joe Barry’s firing.

Joe Barry had to go. Not because the Washington Redskins are frustated. Not because a vocal contingent of the fan base had been barking about the defensive coordinator for months. Not just to try something new.

This decision is about taking the best route to building the best defense possible under the team’s current circumstances. And given the manner in which the roster has developed since Barry arrived, the job description for the ideal defensive coordinator has changed.

So Barry had go.

[Redskins fire Joe Barry and rest of defensive coaching staff]

Defensive coordinator Joe Barry hugs Bashaud Breeland after the cornerback’s first of two interceptions in Week 16 against the Chicago Bears. (Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post)

He had to go because, as the franchise prepares for its third year under General Manager Scot McCloughan and its fourth under Coach Jay Gruden, there can’t be as much tolerance for waiting and hoping. It’s unclear exactly what Barry was building in Washington, but the results were poor, and his career track record was even worse, dating from commanding that 0-16 Detroit Lions defense in 2008. In his four seasons as an NFL defensive coordinator, Barry’s defenses have ranked 32nd, 32nd, 28th and 28th in yards allowed. The last two rankings are what he had to show for his time in Washington. Betting on Barry as Washington moves into the “win big” phase of its reconstruction would have been an incredible risk. The situation calls for a more proven coordinator.

He also had to go because the team is desperate for defensive coaching ingenuity to circumvent how much it is spending on offense. According to overthecap.com, Washington spent 64 percent of its salary cap, excluding dead money to players no longer on the team, on the offense. It was the second-priciest offense in the NFL behind Dallas. The defense was the league’s fifth-cheapest. And the price of the offense could rise, assuming quarterback Kirk Cousins receives a new contract. And while only one player from the high-priced wide receiver duo of Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson figures to return, McCloughan still would be wise to use cap space on a stopgap veteran wide receiver. In addition, backup tight end Vernon Davis, who had a good season, is a free agent worth keeping, and he is sure to make more than the $2.38 million he did this season.

[Joe Barry had to prove he belonged. He didn’t.]

So how do you build a defense to complement an expensive offense that finished third in the NFL in yards gained but might require more investment to solve its red-zone woes? For one, McCloughan needs cheap players who can outperform their contracts, which is why the 2017 draft should be heavy on defensive players. There still will be opportunities to spend in free agency, but McCloughan will have to be smart about it. But an upgrade at defensive coordinator won’t interfere with managing the salary cap.

That’s where this gets tricky. Firing Barry will prove silly unless Gruden can get a top-notch coordinator. Gruden must be better than he was two years ago, when he bypassed Wade Phillips for Barry. Interestingly, Phillips may be looking for a job again because Gary Kubiak left Denver this week. But it is hard to imagine Gruden and Phillips joining forces now, not after Gruden was so unimpressed with Phillips — who went on to lead the Broncos’ exquisite defensive talent to the Super Bowl — that he opted for the energy and bluster of Barry.

[For Redskins, the anguish is earned]

Fired Jacksonville coach Gus Bradley, who had a good run as Pete Carroll’s defensive coordinator in Seattle, should be atop Gruden’s wish list. But Bradley is reportedly a package deal with Buffalo’s Anthony Lynn, should Lynn get one of the half-dozen NFL head coaching jobs open. The coaching carousel is already crowded, and it might get worse. It complicates the pursuit, but intriguing options will be available, including former Cleveland coach Mike Pettine and former Minnesota coach Leslie Frazier, who is the secondary coach in Baltimore.

1 of 84 Full Screen Autoplay Close Week 16: Washington 41, Bears 21 at Soldier Field Week 15: Carolina Panthers 26, Redskins 15 at FedEx Field. Week 14: Redskins 27, Philadelphia Eagles 22, at Lincoln Financial Field. Week 13: Arizona Cardinals 31, Redskins at University of Phoenix Staduim Week 12: Dallas Cowboys 31, Redskins 26 at AT&T Stadium Week 11: Washington 42, Green Bay 24, at FedEx Field. Week 9: Washington 26, Minnesota Vikings 20 at FedEx Field. Week 8: Washington 27, Bengals 27, at Wembley Field in London. Week 7: Washington 17, Lions 20 at Ford Field. Week 6: Washington 27, Eagles 20 at FedEx Field. Week 5: Washington 16, Ravens 10 in Baltimore. Week 4: Washington 31, Cleveland Browns 20 at FedEx Field. Week 3: Washington 29, NY Giants 27 at MetLife Stadium. Skip Ad × Photos from the Redskins’ season View Photos Washington went 8-7-1 and missed the playoffs by a whisker. Here’s a look at the standout images from 2016. Caption Washington went 8-7-1 and missed the playoffs by a whisker. Here’s a look at the standout images from 2016. Reed celebrated his touchdown, which he hoped would set the stage for a dramatic Washington win. Nick Wass/Associated Press Buy Photo Wait 1 second to continue.

When he hired Barry, Gruden was looking for an enthusiastic coach who had the energy and patience to teach young players. The on-field product looked awful, but Barry and his staff did some good things developing players. But now the job demands something different. Gruden needs an aggressive, innovative coordinator with a well-defined style but the creativity to account for special, unorthodox talent (Su’a Cravens, for instance).

Look at it this way. Sometimes you need a trauma doctor, a doctor with the agility to take immediate action and save your life by doing whatever it takes. Sometimes you need methodical, long-term care. And sometimes you need a doctor who specializes in a rare illness. Coaching, in its own trivial way, is similar.

Barry went in and did what he could with a mess. His defenses have been bad; his news conferences have been illogical. But he is not the worst defensive coordinator I have seen. What would he have been if he was ever handed a loaded defense? It is worth considering. But you don’t leave your crooked teeth in the hands of a general dentist who could be solid at orthodontics if provided the best tools. You find the best orthodontist available?

This decision wasn’t about fairness, blame or continuity. Those are merely complicated issues that cloud the most compelling factor as Washington evaluates the future of its most needy unit.

Certainty is what Gruden should be seeking. He is an offensive coach still learning to be the CEO of the entire team. He needs a head coach of the defense. He needs someone whose defensive system provides an edge that elevates the talent level. Most of Washington’s money always will go to the offense.

In the McCloughan/Gruden era, Washington has relied on patience and preferred continuity. But flawed continuity is useles. It was time for a change, even if firing Barry seems against the general value system of this rebuilding.

It was time for a change because the rebuild can’t stand for long on this shaky defensive foundation.