Washington Football quarterback Dwayne Haskins could be benched during Sunday's game against the Baltimore Ravens if he continues to struggle, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Early Sunday Rapoport reported, “there is a chance if it goes particularly badly today, Haskins could be pulled at some point in favor of Kyle Allen.”
This would be a surprising development, but not stunning considering Haskins’ poor showing in the first dozen games of his NFL career. However, it would be a big blow to the confidence of the No. 15 overall pick from a year ago.
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It seems something this week has changed head coach Ron Rivera’s mind about the quarterback.
While speaking with the media Sunday after Washington’s 34-20 defeat to Cleveland, Rivera said he was sticking with the second-year passer.
"I'm going to take my lumps with Dwayne,” Rivera told the media. “The way I see it, he's barely through a rookie year right now."
And when asked about the noise around benching Haskins, Rivera said, "I think the outside noise is exactly what it is. It's noise.”
"The truth of the matter is how is he going to learn? Is he going to learn taking the show team snaps? No. The only way he's going to learn and the only way we're going to truly find out where Dwayne is and what he can do for us is to put him back on the football field and let him get exposed. That's how he grows," Rivera said last Sunday.
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By Monday, Rivera admitted "There is a cut-off point for me” when it comes to benching the passer.
"There were a lot of guys that put their heart out on the field and, truthfully, they deserve better," Rivera said.
"When you look at the way Daron (Payne) played and Jonathan (Allen) and Montez (Sweat), guys like that are leaving it on the field. Jon Bostic. Guys played hard," Rivera said Monday. "Then you turn around to the offensive side and you look at those guys on the offensive line were battling and fighting too, and the things that the backs and the receivers and the tight ends. I mean, you have to say at some point there is, and I'll cross that bridge when I get there."
If Haskins’ struggles continue against Baltimore and he is benched, Washington’s season will enter the worst place in football: QB controversy land.