The 2008 season was the Washington Redskins' 77th in the National Football League (NFL) and their first under head coach Jim Zorn.

They failed to improve upon their 9–7 record from 2007 and finished with an 8–8 record despite starting the season 6–2. In addition to their regular games with NFC East rivals, the Redskins played teams from the NFC West and AFC North as per the schedule rotation, and also played intraconference games against the Detroit Lions and the New Orleans Saints based on divisional positions from 2007.

The 2008 offseason opened with the announcement on January 8, 2008, of the retirement of head coach Joe Gibbs. The Redskins immediately began a national search for a new head coach. On January 25, 2008, Jim Zorn was hired as offensive coordinator. The following day, associate head coach Al Saunders and assistant head coach Gregg Williams were fired and Greg Blache was named defensive coordinator. On February 9, Jim Zorn was hired to be head coach. On February 15, Sherman Smith, the former running backs coach for the Tennessee Titans, was hired as an offensive coordinator.

On February 26, 2008, the Redskins released WR Brandon Lloyd. Lloyd later signed with the Chicago Bears.

Mark Brunell, Reche Caldwell, Rick DeMulling, Randall Godfrey, Brian Kozlowski, David Macklin, Keenan McCardell, Pierson Prioleau, Mike Pucillo, and Omar Stoutmire were free agents and not re-signed by the Redskins.

On August 30, the Redskins released veterans Ryan Boschetti (DT), Derrick Frost (P), and Todd Wade (OT) .

On May 27, 2008, the Redskins traded a conditional 2009 seventh-round draft pick to the Minnesota Vikings for DE Erasmus James. According to the terms of the deal, James must play in at least one regular season game in order for the Vikings to receive the draft pick.

On July 20, 2008, the Redskins traded a 2009 second-round draft pick and a 2010 sixth-round draft pick to the Miami Dolphins for DE Jason Taylor.