Jim Zorn won't be calling plays for the Washington Redskins anytime soon — the team named Sherman Lewis to that role on Monday. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

From calling bingo to calling plays, Sherman Lewis is taking Jim Zorn's favourite duty.

With a pained expression, Washington Redskins head coach Zorn announced Monday that the front office "strongly suggested" that he yield his play-calling duties to Lewis, a consultant hired two weeks ago. While he didn't say he had been given an ultimatum, Zorn said he would comply with the request "because I want to stay here and win."

"Sometimes we have to do things that are uncomfortable," Zorn said.

The Redskins said Monday that Lewis will take over the play calling for an offence that is averaging only 13.2 points per game.

The front office stripped Zorn of the play-calling role following Sunday's 14-6 loss to previously winless Kansas City.

"The seriousness of the decision to do this is that we lose cohesiveness in our team," Zorn said. "Now where's the cohesiveness in six points a game? See what I mean? So I'm hoping this is a positive."

The Redskins are 2-4, and have failed to score a touchdown in two of their home games.

Two weeks ago, Lewis was retired in Michigan, calling bingo games at a senior centre and delivering Meals on Wheels. He previously had spent 22 years as an NFL assistant.

Washington originally brought him in as a consultant for the Redskins offence.

The move is a blow for Zorn, who feels he had a knack for calling plays.

"I'm sure he's not happy with it," quarterback Todd Collins said. "He came here and he wanted to call the plays, and now it's taken away from him."

Zorn said he had to do a "soul search" Sunday night before agreeing to the change.