| Team: | Washington Redskins |
| Year: | 1989 |
| Record: | 10–6 |
| Division Place: | 3rd NFC East |
| Coach: | Joe Gibbs |
| General Manager: | Charley Casserly |
| President: | John Kent Cooke |
| Owner: | Jack Kent Cooke |
| Off Coach: | Joe Bugel |
| Def Coach: | Richie Petitbon |
| Stadium: | RFK Stadium |
| Playoffs: | Did not qualify |
| Shortnavlink: | Redskins seasons |
The Washington Redskins season was the franchise's 58th season in the National Football League (NFL) and their 53rd in Washington, D.C. They improved on their 7–9 record from 1988 to 10–6 in 1989, finishing third in the NFC East. However, they failed to qualify for the playoffs for a second consecutive season.
See main article: 1989 NFL draft.
| Round | Selection | Player | Position | College | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 66 | Defensive tackle | Auburn | ||
| 4 | 110 | Wide receiver | USC | ||
| 5 | 129 | Tim Smiley | Defensive back | Arkansas State | |
| 5 | 139 | Defensive end | Delaware State | ||
| 6 | 149 | Defensive back | Southwest Texas State | ||
| 7 | 179 | Kevin Hendrix | Linebacker | South Carolina | |
| 9 | 233 | Charles Darrington | Tight end | Kentucky | |
| 10 | 263 | Guard | Idaho | ||
| 12 | 316 | Tight end | Howard | ||
| 12 | 317 | Running back | Mississippi |
In a week 14 victory against the San Diego Chargers, Joe Gibbs achieved career victory no. 100
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | Recap | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York Giants | L 24–27 | 0–1 | RFK Stadium | 54,160 | Recap | ||
| 2 | September 17 | Philadelphia Eagles | L 37–42 | 0–2 | RFK Stadium | 53,493 | Recap | |
| 3 | September 24 | at Dallas Cowboys | W 30–7 | 1–2 | Texas Stadium | 63,200 | Recap | |
| 4 | October 1 | at New Orleans Saints | W 16–14 | 2–2 | Louisiana Superdome | 64,358 | Recap | |
| 5 | October 8 | Phoenix Cardinals | W 30–28 | 3–2 | RFK Stadium | 53,335 | Recap | |
| 6 | October 15 | at New York Giants | L 17–20 | 3–3 | Giants Stadium | 76,245 | Recap | |
| 7 | October 22 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | W 32–28 | 4–3 | RFK Stadium | 53,862 | Recap | |
| 8 | October 29 | at Los Angeles Raiders | L 24–37 | 4–4 | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | 52,781 | Recap | |
| 9 | November 5 | Dallas Cowboys | L 3–13 | 4–5 | RFK Stadium | 53,187 | Recap | |
| 10 | November 12 | at Philadelphia Eagles | W 10–3 | 5–5 | Veterans Stadium | 65,443 | Recap | |
| 11 | Denver Broncos | L 10–14 | 5–6 | RFK Stadium | 52,975 | Recap | ||
| 12 | November 26 | Chicago Bears | W 38–14 | 6–6 | RFK Stadium | 50,044 | Recap | |
| 13 | December 3 | at Phoenix Cardinals | W 29–10 | 7–6 | Sun Devil Stadium | 38,870 | Recap | |
| 14 | December 10 | San Diego Chargers | W 26–21 | 8–6 | RFK Stadium | 47,693 | Recap | |
| 15 | December 17 | at Atlanta Falcons | W 31–30 | 9–6 | Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium | 37,501 | Recap | |
| 16 | at Seattle Seahawks | W 29–0 | 10–6 | Kingdome | 60,294 | Recap |