WASHINGTON (106.7 The Fan) -- The Washington Redskins' interest in Arizona Cardinals second-year quarterback Josh Rosen has become a major story coming out of the NFL Scouting Combine, and though a trade remains just a possibility, there is real substance as to why Washington and Rosen are being linked.
The Redskins are interested in a lot of quarterbacks, and Rosen is clearly one of the best options, if not the best. He is beyond affordable; the Cardinals are responsible for his signing bonus. Rosen would cost the Redskins just $1,279,898 in 2019. He's slated to cost $2,079,796 the following season and then has another year at $2,879,694 before he either would be extended or on his fifth-year option at just over $17 million.
For a team as cash-strapped as the Redskins, a cheap quarterback who may actually be good would feel like a gift. We still don't know if Rosen is good, but he's a multi-year solution worthy of exploring. He would have incredible mentors in Alex Smith and Colt McCoy, whom he would have to beat out for the starting job. If it's close, Rosen would certainly get the nod.
Of course, the Redskins have to give up something to get Rosen, and this is where this gets fun. The Jacksonville Jaguars reportedly have decided on Nick Foles, leaving the New York Giants, Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos in the mix for a QB.
All three teams are higher in the draft order than Washington, which could be advantageous or a hindrance depending on how aggressively they approach trade talks. Those teams could put together better packages of picks than the Redskins could. But those teams also have better opportunities to take quarterbacks in the first round, meaning they might not be interested at all.
Sources indicated the Redskins would hesitate to part with the No. 15 overall pick. The Redskins need players at too many positions, and there could be some really good players available in a loaded defensive draft.
The hypothetical price of a second- and a third-round pick has been thrown around. I think if that were the actual price and Arizona was ready to move, Rosen would be an unofficial Redskin today and an actual one on the first day of the league year. If push comes to shove, I have a hard time believing the Redskins wouldn't spend the 15th pick on a quarterback they really like.
Rosen's attitude rubbed some people the wrong way during the draft process last year, but I don't think Redskins brass were among those people. To paraphrase one league source about Rosen, "Stars are a--holes. What do you want me to say?" Can a younger player who carries himself with supreme confidence earn the respect needed to be a leader, especially in a locker room that just experienced Smith's leadership?
Another league source with connections to both Arizona and UCLA, where Rosen was a multi-year starter, said his teammates absolutely love him. The Redskins have their own connections to the Cardinals to find out more. Redskins offensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell and new Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury know each other, and Washington pro personnel director Alex Santos is close with Cardinals GM Steve Keim.
The consensus is the Cardinals will take Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray with the first pick. A report from the South Florida Sun Sentinel -- which indicated Rosen being traded to Washington is "likely" -- is premature, according to a source.
Ultimately, this is still off in the distance. The Cardinals have to open the bidding. The Redskins would have to win the bidding.
However, for a team with a horrible quarterback situation, Rosen represents a lifeline. Of course they're interested. Time will tell just how much they're willing to pay in assets to get a talented, cost-effective quarterback.
By Craig Hoffman
