As an Alex Smith comeback looms large, Dwayne Haskins has competition in Washington.
With a new head coach comes a new mindset in Washington, and Ron Rivera has made it clear that the starting job will be no guarantee for Dwayne Haskins.
Courtesy of Nicki Jhabvala, Rivera had the following to say about the quarterback competition,
"It’s going to be pure competition. I like the fact that we have a good group of guys that will push each other. The biggest thing is how each guy develops over time. … We’re going to create as many game-like situations in practice. …"
Haskins took over last season after Case Keenum was hit with a concussion in week 8. He delivered a positive first year, but nothing extraordinary to secure the job in 2020.
That security has become increasingly tested as Alex Smith’s name emerges as he plots a comeback to the NFL. His playing career was put in jeopardy and it seemed unlikely he would ever step on the field again after a devastating injury in 2018. However, overcoming years of surgery and rehab, he was recently cleared for football activities and placed on the PUP list with the potential to play in 2020.
Will Dwayne Haskins lose out to Kyle Allen for the starting job in Washington?
Beyond Smith, other young quarterbacks will play a role in Washington. Kyle Allen has a year of experience playing under Rivera in Carolina, and that comfortability may bode well in an unconventional offseason like this one.
It’s a bit too early to look at Steven Montez out of Colorado, but the rookie quarterback has high potential and will be a factor in the Washington locker room in short time.
Haskins may be the favorite, but Rivera’s hesitancy to name the starter will add some motivation to all parties involved. Perhaps he will pull a surprise and name Allen the week one starter, while Smith’s journey may culminate in an on-field appearance at some point this season. Regardless, there is a lot to be excited about in the Washington quarterback situation.