John Beck said on Wednesday he was disappointed to not win the Redskins' starting quarterback job.
He is ready to move forward as Rex Grossman's backup.
"Anytime you put a lot of work into something, you want it to play out the way you've worked for," he said. "Unfortunately, this situation didn't. My biggest thing now is just to move forward and try to improve each and every day, because I have a job that I have to be prepared for. That's my main focus right now."
Beck played in three preseason games – he was sidelined for the opener due to a groin injury – and completed 30-of-48 passes for 356 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. His quarterback rating was 74.7.
Asked if there was anything else he could have done to win the job, Beck replied: "There are always things that I could have done better, no question."
A 2007 second-round draft pick by the Miami Dolphins, Beck had joined the Redskins as part of a trade with the Baltimore Ravens during 2010 training camp.
Head coach Mike Shanahan first mentioned Beck as a viable starter after last April's NFL Draft. The Redskins bypassed quarterbacks in the draft in part because Shanahan believed Beck could develop into a quality NFL starter.
Beck stepped into a leadership role, leading the team during off-season workouts during the lockout. He was thought to be the early favorite to win the job but Grossman was the choice in the end.
"I've been trying to climb a mountain ever since I got into this league," Beck said. "I know that there are going to be obstacles, there are going to be times when you slip and fall, but I never look at them as 'I'm down and out.' I look at them as 'All right, that's an obstacle and I'm getting over it and I'm going to keep moving ahead.'"
He added: "The one thing I'm not going to do is let this hold me back from what I can do in the future," he said. "I gave it everything I had, that I am not ever going to question."
Beck said he would craft a plan with head coach Mike Shanahan and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan so that he would be fully ready if called upon during games.
He is expected to run the scout team offense during practice, so his reps will be limited, but he takes pride in readying the Redskins' defense for game day.
"Rex will get the majority of the [practice] reps, so how can I improve when I'm not getting my reps?" he said. "I have to find ways, I have to find time after practice, I have to come in on the off days like I have always done and continually improve so that if something does happen, I can be ready for it."
