Scot McCloughan was not present at Washington's practice facility for the start of free agency.

Vice president of communications Tony Wyllie said simply, “We’re busy with free agency,” when asked about McCloughan’s whereabouts, declining to elaborate.

McCloughan wasn’t among Washington's delegation at last week’s NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, the most important event for evaluating college prospects in advance of April’s NFL draft.

Bruce Allen told reporters last Thursday that McCloughan would return to his job “when things are handled,” adding that this week was a possibility. Others close to the situation said privately that McCloughan had been working on Washington's draft preparations all along, whether from his office or home.

McCloughan, among the NFL’s more respected talent-evaluators, signed a four-year deal with Washington. McCloughan has total authority over Washington's roster.