May 10, 2019; Ashburn, VA, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Dwayne Haskins Jr. (7) prepares to pass the ball during stills as part of rookie minicamp at Redskins Park. Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Redskins coach Jay Gruden declared an open competition at quarterback, with first-round pick Dwayne Haskins joining Case Keenum and Colt McCoy after an impressive start in rookie camp.
“Yeah, for sure. We have to have that,” Gruden said Saturday. “I mean Case coming off the most experience is great. Colt has the most experience with this terminology in this system, and Dwayne was the 15th pick in the draft. We’ll see what happens.”
With Alex Smith expected to miss the 2019 season as recovers from a broken right leg, the Redskins traded a pair of late-round picks in 2020 to the Denver Broncos for the 31-year-old Keenum in March.
McCoy is still recovering from his own injury, a broken right fibula that has required three surgeries.
Haskins, 22, made the most of his lone season as the starter at Ohio State. He passed for 4,831 yards and 50 touchdowns, setting 28 Buckeyes records and seven Big Ten marks.
“I’ll be ready for whatever the coaches want for me, whether that’s starting right away or next year or during the season,” Haskins said. “I’m just going to prepare like I’m the starter, and that’s with me in the weight room, me in the meeting rooms, me with the younger guys, me with the older guys. Every opportunity for me is an opportunity for me to showcase that I’m the guy.”
Even if Keenum begins the season as the starter, he is likely just the bridge until Haskins is ready.
Keenum passed for 3,547 yards and 22 touchdowns with the Minnesota Vikings in 2017 and threw for 3,890 yards and 18 scores with the Broncos in 2018.
Gruden said Haskins is at “the very bare minimum” right now and still has much to learn.
“We’re going to go at it,” Gruden said. “Throw the ball out there let these guys compete really. I think he obviously displayed enough of a skill set to warrant the 15th pick in the draft and to give him an opportunity to see how far he can take this thing without a doubt.”
