In the end, there was no choice. Dwayne Haskins is Washington’s starting quarterback not just because the 2019 first-rounder earned it in training camp, but he's the path forward.
Coach Ron Rivera named Haskins the opening starter against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 13 over Alex Smith and Kyle Allen. But really, there was no reason to go with Smith or Allen. Given no preseason games, neither could do anything to win the job. They needed Haskins to lose the role on the practice field and that didn't happen.
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Haskins entered camp with a more mature attitude, increased self-confidence and even a better body after a solid offseason program. He carried himself as the starter, the first step to success. Haskins didn’t worry about others, just improving his own performance. That’s how winning is made.
Smith is a feel-good story. OK, a "30 for 30" story of someone who overcame tremendous hardship to make it back to the football field. For that, he should be applauded. But, this is all about winning and Smith at best is a one-year stopgap should Haskins become injured or flop. The team is about becoming a playoff contender in a year or two, when Smith will be gone, so it made no sense to play him just so the documentary would have a Hollywood ending.
Now good NFL teams often need two quarterbacks given injuries. With the COVID-19 pandemic, a starting lineup is only a positive Sunday morning test away from changing. It won’t be surprising to see Smith play at some point. And if Washington is way ahead late in a game, Smith should play some. He’s earned the right.
But Washington needs to develop its young passer. It’s something the team has often failed to do while starting 26 quarterbacks since 1992. That’s a big reason why this franchise has stunk for a generation. They couldn't develop Jason Campbell or Patrick Ramsey, much less save Heath Shuler from being a bust. Robert Griffin III's story is so entangled let's just say mistakes were made on both sides.
Washington has developed three quarterbacks to various degrees since its last title in 1991. Gus Frerotte went from seventh-rounder to starter and then a backup with six teams. It wasn't a bad career. Trent Green was on the brink of stardom when the team couldn't retain the free agent with the franchise's sale pending. Kirk Cousins went from fourth-rounder to a very rich man, but the team botched keeping him.
So, Washington has very little to show for drafting its own long-term quarterbacks. The list over 83 years is Sammy Baugh (1937) and Mark Rypien (1986).
Now it's Haskins' turn and it once again comes with a different coach than the one who drafted him. Rivera could have turned to Allen, who played for the coach in Carolina last year, or maybe a safer choice in Smith, who manages games well. The coach could have given the passer the cold shoulder like Jay Gruden froze Griffin.
But this is about jump starting a franchise from 3-13 last season and nearly 30 years of ineptitude. There may be cries for change if things start poorly, but playing Haskins is about 2021 and 2022.
Fortunately, Haskins earned the chance to move Washington forward.
Rick Snider has covered Washington sports since 1978. Follow him on Twitter: @Snide_Remarks