The Washington Redskins fired general manager Scot McCloughan on Thursday evening, and leaks from inside the mess of a franchise quickly attributed the ouster to his alleged drinking problem.

The Washington Post cited an unnamed “official with direct knowledge of the situation” who said McCloughan showed up to work drunk on several occasions — including in the Redskins locker room — and the situation had been a “disaster for 18 months.”

The official said McCloughan had received alcohol treatment since joining the Redskins in January 2015 — though the Post could not account for any absences by the GM that might coincide with in-patient care — but his behavior recently had made his position untenable.

McCloughan has admitted abusing alcohol in the past, which cut short previous front-office jobs with the 49ers in 2010 and the Seahawks in 2014. However, the 46-year-old has said his drinking did not currently affect his job performance. That version was more or less backed by a handful of Redskins players and other staffers contacted by the Washington Post.

The controversy escalated last month when former Redskins tight end Chris Cooley, who currently works for the team’s radio station, suggested McCloughan was drinking again and questioned whether the organization could trust him. When no authority figures, including president Bruce Allen and owner Dan Snyder, denied Cooley’s speculations, McCloughan reportedly was furious.

McCloughan apparently was not invited to the NFL Combine with the rest of the Redskins’ staff earlier this month and was conspicuously absent from the team’s headquarters during the opening days of NFL free agency. McCloughan was just over two years into a four-year contract.

“The Washington Redskins have released Scot McCloughan from the organization effective immediately. We wish him success in his future endeavors,” Allen said in a statement.

Redskins players reacted with puzzlement to Thursday’s developments.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins, who recently appealed to Snyder for a trade away from the drama and indecision of the Redskins, according to ESPN, had conceded defeat Thursday evening and was expected to sign his $24 million franchise tag soon, according to NFL Network.