The Redskins’ Quarterback Dilemma

Since 2001 Tom Brady has started 267 of the Patriots’ 288 regular season games. Brady missed most of the season due to injury in 2008 and, of course, there was his suspension in 2016. During that same 288 game span, the Washington Redskins have trotted out eighteen different quarterbacks with no one starting more than fifty-three games. No Redskins’ quarterback during that time has received a second contract.

Last season, the Redskins started four different quarterbacks on their way to a disappointing 7-9 season. There are things that great teams do to be great, and then there are things that the Redskins do.

For the better part of two decades, quarterback choosing has not been a strong point for the organization and that statement is in the running for understatement of the year.

When the Redskins decided that Kirk Cousins was not the answer at quarterback for the price tag he was looking for, they looked to get the same production at a slight discount by trading a fourth round pick and cornerback Kendall Fuller to the Chiefs, who were ready to hand over the reigns to Patrick Maholmes. For what it’s worth, Fuller started fifteen games for the Chiefs, grabbing two interceptions and recorded twelve passes defended. The ‘Skins number one corner, Josh Norman, had three interceptions and nine passes defended.

The thinking from Bruce Allen and Dan Snyder was that Smith could run Coach Jay Gruden’s offense better and would cost the team less guaranteed money. Through ten games, the Redskins were in first place in the NFC East, though many felt that Smith’s performance left a lot to be desired.

The Redskins were winning by controlling the ball with Adrian Peterson and the run game, avoiding turnovers, and coming up with timely stops on defense. Thought the team was winning, many fans were less than impressed with Alex Smith and wondered what backup Colt McCoy could do in the offense that he had been a part of for years.

When Alex Smith suffered a gruesome leg injury in a loss against the Texans in week ten, the Redskins quarterback carousel went into full effect as the team won one of their final six games and missed the playoffs for the third straight year. The severity of Smith’s injury coupled with the guaranteed money in his contract has left the ‘Skins in a very precarious situation at quarterback for the upcoming season.

The Redskins’s front office feels that they are only a few pieces away from competing for a championship (at least that’s what they are saying publicly).

Fans are calling for a full rebuild, seeing weak spots all over the field. With Smith unlikely to be ready for the start of the season, if ever, and twenty million dollars of his salary going against the cap, the team will certainly need to be creative. The NFL Draft combine is wrapping up and free agency starts in ten days. Let’s take a look at some of the team’s options and what they mean for their short term and long term future.

Stick with what they’ve got. According Ian Rapoport, the Redskins seem confident that Colt McCoy can be their starter for 2019. Of course, this hasn’t worked out well for the ‘Skins in the past, in large part because McCoy simply cannot stay healthy. The offense last year was only slightly more productive with McCoy under center, if at all. McCoy stayed true to his career numbers with three touchdowns, three interceptions and a 78.6 passer rating before his season was ended with a leg injury. All of this suggests that Colt McCoy “is what he is”, a serviceable backup that can start a couple of games, if needed.

If the Redskins choose this path to address the quarterback situation in 2019, it only stands to reason that last year’s fourth starter, Josh Johnson, will be his backup, if not be given the chance to compete for the starting job in camp. Johnson provided a bit of a spark to the stagnant offense last year after replacing Mark Sanchez in week thirteen’s embarrassment at home against the struggling Giants.

In reality, Johnson performed worse than McCoy with three touchdowns against four interceptions and a passer rating of 69.4. If this is the option that Bruce Allen and company choose, it would seem to suggest that they feel Alex Smith will return this year or next, and are simply looking for a band-aid until then. This option offers no plan for the future, unless they intend to draft a quarterback and let him sit for a year or two.

Draft a Quarterback Early and Throw Him Into the Fire. With the combine wrapping up, and many experts determining that Kyler Murray is now the number one quarterback in the draft, the Redskins would look at the rest of the group for their potential signal caller of the future (barring a trade up to the first pick which seems unlikely given that the franchise is still snake bitten from 2012’s trade for RG3).

Different mock drafts have considered different quarterback that the ‘Skins may consider, dependent upon their availability, Peter Strager of NFL.com has Washington slated to take Drew Lock out of Missouri. Jake Rill of Bleacher Report has predicted them to take Daniel Jones of Duke. Other mocks have the Redskins going defense in round one and either choosing a quarterback late or signing a free agent.

Sign Another Free Agent. The 2019 quarterback market for free agents isn’t exactly overflowing with potential superstars and the one quarterback that figures to be the bell of the free agent ball, Nick Foles (if his option isn’t exercised) is likely to be out of the Redskins’ price range. That leaves the Bruce Allen shopping in the bargain bin. Teddy Bridgewater is likely to garner a lot of attention and may price himself out of the Redskins’ plans.

Tyrod Taylor is an option as he does avoid turnovers and can make plays with his legs, two attributes that Jay Gruden covets. On the opposite end of that spectrum is Ryan Fitzpatrick. The thirty-six year old can put up numbers but is also a turnover machine.

Draft a Quarterback in the Middle Rounds. Regardless of who the ‘Skins decide on as their opening game starter, it is likely that they will choose a quarterback in the middle rounds of the draft in hopes that they can find another Kirk Cousins type.

Should they draft a quarterback in round two to four, they could end up with Will Grier (West Virginia), Clayton Thorson (Northwestern), Ryan Finley (North Carolina State), or Jarrett Stidham (Auburn). Waiting later than that could land them Kyle Shurmur (Vanderbilt), Jacob Dolegala (Central Connecticut State), Tyree Jackson (Buffalo), or Brett Rypien (Boise State.) We will go further in depth on all of the quarterback options as we get closer to the draft.

It promises to be a tricky two months for the Redskins as they continue to deal with the fall-out from Alex Smith’s injury. Follow the Maryland Sports Blog for updates as they come in.