Plan H was about the best the Washington Football Team could do for a passer.
Signing quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick to a one-year deal means the team has opted to save money versus other passers that will help keep the defensive line together and receiver Terry McLaurin when they become free agents in coming years. It also means another one-year quarterback with the more likely long-term successor now coming in the draft.
Oh Sonny Jurgensen, we finally found your successor. Too bad it's another 38-year-old who can play in a pinch instead of the team's best passer in his prime over the last 50 years.
"FitzMagic" is hopefully not playing in a stadium near you this fall, but most likely he will. Right now, Fitzpatrick is the best passer versus Kyle Allen and Taylor Heinicke. But, coach Ron Rivera promised an open competition, so who knows what happens. The most likely scenario is Allen starts and Fitzpatrick is the backup as the crowd yells for playoff-hero Heinicke should the team start poorly.
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Knowing how injuries plagued Washington quarterbacks over the last few years, including four last season, there's a fair chance Fitzpatrick is the December passer. And, that's fine. He has some game left despite his age. It could be an Alex Smith 2.0. The difference is Fitzpatrick saves Washington some money versus the declining salary cap over Smith.
It would have been nice to get Deshaun Watson, but Houston's trade price is just too high. The New York Jets can't decide what to do with Darnold. Same with Las Vegas and Marcus Mariota, whose incentives make it a bad deal. There are plenty of passers available this season, even down to rumors of Seattle's Russell Wilson on the block. There was never a better time to find a decent quarterback over the offseason.
But Washington went conservative and short term. The problem is the NFL is all about three-year plans and Washington needs to establish a passer before the defensive line somehow unravels. Jonathan Allen is a free agent next year, followed soon after by Daron Payne and Montez Sweat. It's hard to keep a line together notwithstanding injuries.
This is the best defensive line since the early 1980s when Dexter Manley and Charles Mann dominated. Taking Fitzpatrick versus someone with a big four-year deal helps keep the defense together.
But it doesn't thrill the offense and certainly not free agent receivers who want to know who's throwing the ball. This forces Washington to either overpay prospective free agent receivers or look more to the draft for someone to take pressure off McLaurin.
Overall, signing Fitzpatrick draws a shrug. But, that's better than a wince.
Rick Snider has covered Washington sports since 1978. Follow him on Twitter: @Snide_Remarks.
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