Mike Shanahan's comments reportedly upset Redskins

It sure sounded like Mike Shanahan threw in the towel for the 2012 season after losing to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday night, despite having seven games left to play.

"When you lose a game like that, now you're playing to see who, obviously, is going to be on your football team for years to come," Shanahan said after the team's homecoming loss.

Logically, it made sense with the Redskins at 3-6. They would have to run the table for a chance at the playoffs. Emotionally, it seems like a dangerous message to send to a team.

"Bein' 3-6 really (stinks) because right now we're on the outside looking in," Redskins linebacker Lorenzo Alexander told Mike Wise of The Washington Post. "I'm not thinkin' about next year. That's an offseason thing for me. But you know it's hard when you see yourself in that type of position and your head coach is saying those types of things. It's disappointing."

Two other players told Wise anonymously that they were bothered by Shanahan's comments. Considering that Shanahan has a lower winning percentage during his Redskins tenure than Steve Spurrier or Jim Zorn, it's a dangerous message.

Shanahan might need to win in the second half or risk not being around next season.

Follow Gregg Rosenthal on Twitter @greggrosenthal.