There are many ways to turn the page on a mistake. One of those ways is to tear it straight out of the book.
That’s essentially what Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera did on Monday afternoon, moving on from Dwayne Haskins by cutting the former first-round pick.
Not waiting until next week when the 2020 season could end. Not after a potential playoff run ends, or in late spring when they could look for value ahead of the draft.
Now. Right now, sending a clear message to the rest of the team: There are consequences for anyone who doesn’t want to be a team player.
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It’s been a wild week for Haskins, who was busted for hanging with strippers during COVID-19, after a disappointing loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Rivera justified keeping him around but stripping him of his captain’s title. If Alex Smith was healthy, Haskins would have also been back on the bench, but that was not the case.
Instead, Haskins got the start on Sunday and played miserably against the Carolina Panthers’ middling defense. His D.C. career ended when he was benched in favor of Taylor Heinicke, who most recently rode the bench for the St. Louis Battlehawks of the now-defunct again XFL.
Haskins’ passer rating of 36.9 against Carolina was the lowest since the first start of his career. After the game, he left the stadium before talking to the media. Now, he won’t have to.
In moving on from Haskins, Rivera has solidified his power within the organization, making clear that the owner will not overrule him on personnel matters.
He also took the necessary steps to walk the talk on the importance of a winning culture. After all, it’s not just that Haskins played poorly--he also left his teammates to answer for his play on Sunday, and invited distraction and infection by breaking the NFL’s COVID-19 protocols.
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Most importantly, Rivera put this team in the best possible position to make the playoffs, even if it was addition by subtraction. Rivera has focused on the playoffs for weeks, even after losing consecutive games to ensure a losing record this season. The playoffs are in reach. Washington controls its postseason destiny in a toothless NFC East. Why not be the best of the worst?
Clearly, Haskins has shown an unwillingness to learn from his mistakes. Clearly, he provides no value to this team as a player or leader. Why keep him around and risk poisoning the locker room?
Washington will move forward with Alex Smith, Heinicke, and Steven Montez, with Smith getting the start if healthy. Rivera will sleep soundly knowing that he gave Haskins every chance to succeed, with all of his players, coaches, bosses, and fans able to see that Haskins couldn’t get it done.
Meanwhile, Haskins will move on to a very uncertain future where he is wrapped in red flags. The Philadelphia Eagles would be wise to sign him this week and see if he can provide any insight into Washington’s game plan for Sunday.
Given what we know, even that might be too much to ask of him.
Brian Tinsman has covered D.C. sports since 2011, both from the team marketing and skeptical fan perspectives. Tweet your criticisms @Brian_Tinsman.
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