Will Dwayne Haskins Be the Washington Redskins' Future Franchise Quarterback?

The question on the minds of many Redskins fans and analysts is whether Dwayne Haskins can be the franchise quarterback after the transition from Case Keenum. While Keenum has shown skills as a backup, his inability to lead the team to success has cast a shadow over the decision to draft Haskins. This article explores the potential of Haskins and the chances of him becoming the future quarterback for the Washington Redskins.

Comparing Case Keenum and Dwayne Haskins

Case Keenum's tenure with the Redskins was marked by inconsistency, especially during the last four games of the season, where the team lost every game. This performance contrasted with his earlier years, including his time with the Vikings, where he displayed significant potential. However, the performance decline and the coaching staff's concerns about Haskins have led to a shift in the quarterback competition.

Haskins, a 22-year-old sophomore, brought fresh hope to the Redskins. Although he struggled early on, the improvements in his passing accuracy and decision-making in his final games suggest that he has the potential to be the team's future star. The coaching staff's decision to give Haskins more playing time after the head coach's firing likely contributed to these improvements.

The Role of Coach Ron Rivera

New head coach Ron Rivera brings a proven track record of developing quarterbacks. His experience with Cam Newton and Christian McCaffrey suggests that he can significantly boost Haskins' development. With a heavy running attack and play-action passes, the Rivera-led offense could help Haskins focus on passing while the running game sets up the offense.

Notably, the emergence of the running game after the HC firing has been linked to Haskins's improvement. The team's defensive issues and lack of cohesion, however, have impacted overall performance. Rivera is set to address these defensive shortcomings by implementing a strong, accountability-driven defensive strategy.

Addressing Concerns About Alex Smith

The probability of Alex Smith returning to the team is low, given his current injury status. If he remains at quadruple-digit digits, it would be a waste to replace Haskins, who was drafted 15th overall. Smith, despite being an experienced player, has shown performance levels similar to those of Case Keenum.

By holding a competition between Haskins and Smith, the Redskins face the risk of squandering Haskins's potential. Smith's tenure with the team has not shown significant improvement, and his chances of becoming the starting quarterback are slim. Instead, providing Haskins with consistent reps and support is crucial for his development.

Final Thoughts and Future Outlook

While it is too early to definitively label Dwayne Haskins as the future franchise quarterback, his promising talent, work ethic, and potential make him a promising candidate. The Redskins organization, however, needs to commit fully to Haskins and avoid giving chances to average veterans like Case Keenum and Alex Smith. Consistency and support are key for Haskins to overcome the challenges and potential regression seen in players like Mitch Trubisky and Marcus Mariota.

With the right support system and coaching, Dwayne Haskins has a real chance to become the franchise quarterback for the Washington Redskins. Only time will tell, but his progression in the coming season can provide valuable insights into his future with the team.