Redskins should wait to play Dwayne Haskins

The Washington Redskins should be in no rush. Neither should Dwayne Haskins.

Washington certainly sees Dwayne Haskins as its future, having drafted him with the 15th-overall pick of the 2019 draft in April. The Redskins believe in the Ohio State product. It’s easy to see why, as he threw 50 touchdowns in the only year of his collegiate career as a starter. Still, while the talent it tantalizing, the best move is to be patient.

From Haskins’ perspective, a competitor wants to play. Unfortunately, Haskins would be best served by playing a bit of the long game, sitting behind veteran Case Keenum in the early months of the regular season.

Want $250 to bet on NFL futures?

Through the first two weeks of the preseason, Dwayne Haskins has shown the growing pains of a rookie. In his first appearance against the Cleveland Browns, there were beautiful throws down the seam and up the sideline. There were also two hideous interceptions, one which ended up a pick-six to fellow rookie Mack Wilson. Last week against the Cincinnati Bengals, Haskins started hot but struggled down the stretch behind a porous offensive line.

All this brings up another point; the line. Washington is currently operating without its All-Pro left tackle in Trent Williams. Williams is holding out in hopes of being traded away, furious with the medical staff. Whether he gets his way remains to be seen, but it’s unknown whether he’ll rejoin the team for the regular season even if he remains on the roster.

Then there’s the schedule. Washington has a brutal start to the campaign, drawing the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears the first three weeks. In Week 5, the New England Patriots visit FedEx Field. There’s little reason to run a rookie out into said buzzsaw, especially with the reality that Washington won’t be competing for a playoff berth barring a huge surprise. Even if the Redskins surpass meager expectations, they’ll need to contend with the Cowboys and Eagles, two of the strongest teams across the NFC.

Read: Owners and Players Open to Cutting NFL Preseason

Haskins should have a long career ahead of him. If everything goes right, the Redskins finally have their franchise quarterback for the first time since Joe Theismann roamed the field in the 1980s. Playing Keenum in the short-term is the logical move, understanding the leaky offensive line, the early schedule and the needed development for a youngster with little playing time at Ohio State.

It’ll be Haskins’ show soon enough. Don’t rush the moment.