Washington to stick with Kyle Allen over Alex Smith at quarterback

Kyle Allen is still QB1 in Washington

Despite Ron Rivera swearing up and down that benching quarterback Dwayne Haskins is by no means the end of an era in Washington, it is starting to feel that way after Rivera chose to start former Panthers QB Kyle Allen against the Los Angeles Rams. Allen didn’t even make it to the end of the game before sustaining a serious injury, as a Jalen Ramsey tackle injured his non-throwing shoulder.

While his injury helped Alex Smith make his improbable return, Rivera confirmed that if Allen is healthy, he will be the starting quarterback for Washington’s Week 6 game against Daniel Jones and the New York Giants.

Kyle Allen didn’t even last the entire game against the Rams

Allen, who threw 17 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in 2019 under Rivera in Carolina, controversially replaced Haskins after the former Ohio State star three just four touchdowns in four starts and led Washington to a 1-3 record. Allen’s arm talent was obvious going back to his college days, but he has makes some really poor decisions with the ball on a weekly basis.

Allen completed nine of his 13 passes for 74 yards against the Rams, adding a seven-yard rushing touchdown early in the game. While those numbers look somewhat ordinary, a porous offensive line that saw helped Smith get sacked six times might’ve made it difficult for Washington to get anything going down the field.

If Washington is intent on not playing Haskins, rolling with Allen is probably a better than option than holding your breath every time Smith and his surgically-repaired leg drop back. Unless Allen magically turns into Joe Theismann, which is unlikely given the state of this offense and their ultra-conservative play-calling, expect Washington to be among the contenders for the No. 1 pick in the draft.