RICHMOND — With training camp set to begin July 25, Redskins.com is previewing the current state of the team's roster, continuing with the quarterbacks.
The competition to determine a starter under center will include three players: longtime Redskin Colt McCoy, veteran Case Keenum and first-round rookie Dwayne Haskins.
ROSTER SUBTRACTIONS:
-- Mark Sanchez
-- Josh Johnson
KEY ADDITION(S):
-- Case Keenum
-- Dwayne Haskins
CURRENT STATE OF THE UNIT:
With last year's starting quarterback, Alex Smith, still recovering from the gruesome leg injury that ended his 2018 campaign, the Redskins entered the offseason in search of a starting signal-caller. They've since added a few options to go along with Colt McCoy -- who also suffered a broken leg last season -- to create a three-man battle that will dominate the training camp discussion.
"I feel confident in every one of our quarterbacks," Gruden said during his opening press conference of training camp on Wednesday. "They have a skillset to help this football team win games... At the end of the day, it's our job to figure out which one, Week 1, gives us the best chance to beat a division rival."
Newcomer Case Keenum finds himself in a familiar position in that he will be asked to learn a new offensive system after spending the previous three seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos. Keenum started all 16 games for Denver in 2018, throwing for 3,890 yards with 18 touchdowns before being traded to Washington in March.
Along with Keenum, Haskins enters his first NFL training camp. After being selected No. 15 overall in the 2019 NFL Draft, much is expected of the 2018 Heisman Trophy finalist after showing off his unique arm strength during OTAs and minicamp. In his lone season as the starter at Ohio State, Haskins set single-season school records in both passing yards (4,831), and touchdowns (50).
McCoy, who enters his sixth season in the burgundy and gold, is finally healthy after suffering a broken fibula last December. He will not be limited during training camp, Gruden said.
WHAT TO WATCH:
During rookie minicamp, Gruden said he wants to "throw the ball out there, let these guys compete." That's still the case entering training camp.
"[Haskins] obviously displayed enough of a skillset 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." Gruden said back in May. "Case [Keenum] has done an excellent job from the little bit we've seen of him, and Colt's obviously rehabbing."
The dispersion of reps during training camp will provide a rough look at who works primarily with the first, second and third teams. In doing so, each signal-caller will continuing building chemistry with the rest of the offense that will go a long way towards determining who will be under center Week 1.
